Africa-Press – Angola. The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, established through Resolution 67/296 adopted at the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) of 23 August 2013, is celebrated today in all countries where this phenomenon society contributes to harmony and concord among good people.
For the UN, sport has the power to change the world, as it is a fundamental right, a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and promote sustainable development, peace, solidarity and respect.
Several experts argue that sport helps to promote equality, justice, inclusion and perseverance, crossing borders and challenging stereotypes, while instilling confidence and helping to overcome times of crisis, such as the current moment that the world is going through, with Covid. -19.
In order to spread this well-being, as well as the values of team spirit, discipline, equality, fair play and respect, UNESCO has collaborated with the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the World Food Program. (WFP) to strengthen children’s access to sport, distributing soccer balls and encouraging teachers to include sport in school curricula.
Despite the efforts of the UN, all over the world, in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, a considerable number of women, from an early age, face legal, cultural and religious barriers that prohibit them from practicing sport and even from enter sports venues.
The International Olympic Committee even changed the rules and allowed one male and one female athlete to carry the flag of the country they represent together during the opening ceremony of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, “sending a powerful message to the world about the importance of gender equality on and off the field”.
In Angola
In Angola, the Secretary of State for Sport, Carlos Almeida, taking advantage of the date of the celebration of 20 years of Peace, marked on the 4th of this month, encouraged, in Luanda, society to practice physical exercises, with a view to improving health.
The leader made the statements after running in the International Peace Half Marathon, which marked the 20th anniversary of the silence of arms throughout the national territory.
On the occasion, the former captain of the national senior men’s basketball team said he hopes that his participation will serve as an incentive for other citizens.
For Carlos Almeida, it is imperative to look at the benefits of physical exercises and the need to practice sports, especially young people, in order to occupy their free time in the best possible way.
“It is necessary to set an example within physical activities and sport. Thus, society will understand that those who practice sport have reduced possibilities of contracting certain diseases, resulting from a sedentary lifestyle”, he commented.
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