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International Sports Day: A day to cherish for the world!

In a historic move, the United Nations announced April 6, a day which also marks the opening of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, as the International Day of Sports.

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Published : Apr 6, 2019, 10:29 AM IST

Updated : Apr 6, 2019, 12:03 PM IST

Hyderabad: The world is gearing up to celebrate the International Sports Day for Development and Peace that promotes healthy lifestyles.

Also Read: IOC wants new Japan member as soon as possible - Bach

In a historic move, the United Nations announced April 6, a day which also marks the opening of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, as the International Day of Sports.

UN's International Sports Day works closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with an objective to make sports accessible to as many people as possible.

Watch the video

This is the day when the world's renowned personalities from the sphere of sports come together and take a pledge to work for the development of communities to make the world a better place for living.

The idea of dedicating a day to sports was coined by the UN's Physical Education and Sports (PES).

It believes that sports is a powerful vehicle in bringing change to society. Sports has no cast and creed.

Sports is important for social integration and gender equality and youth empowerment. Notwithstanding, the impact of sports is felt beyond the boundary of stadiums.

With a proven track record we all know sports is a tool for social change. It bridges the cultural understanding and helps people to exchange their expertise with each other. No doubt, it has a major implication in improving education, health, economic and social development.

Sprinters at Olympic Games
Sprinters at Olympic Games

Indeed, the values and ethics of sports- such as fair play and team spirit- are invaluable elements in building a prosperous society.

Also Read: Shooter Sanjeev approaches HC over arms licence notice

How sports has become a change agent in overhauling our society?

Historically, sports has played a vital role in overhauling communities. It pours in positivity in our lives. The joy of playing and watching it are immense. In the meantime, sports give us plenty of role models to follow and take inspiration from their lives to lead a successful life.

Hyderabad: The world is gearing up to celebrate the International Sports Day for Development and Peace that promotes healthy lifestyles.

Also Read: IOC wants new Japan member as soon as possible - Bach

In a historic move, the United Nations announced April 6, a day which also marks the opening of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, as the International Day of Sports.

UN's International Sports Day works closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with an objective to make sports accessible to as many people as possible.

Watch the video

This is the day when the world's renowned personalities from the sphere of sports come together and take a pledge to work for the development of communities to make the world a better place for living.

The idea of dedicating a day to sports was coined by the UN's Physical Education and Sports (PES).

It believes that sports is a powerful vehicle in bringing change to society. Sports has no cast and creed.

Sports is important for social integration and gender equality and youth empowerment. Notwithstanding, the impact of sports is felt beyond the boundary of stadiums.

With a proven track record we all know sports is a tool for social change. It bridges the cultural understanding and helps people to exchange their expertise with each other. No doubt, it has a major implication in improving education, health, economic and social development.

Sprinters at Olympic Games
Sprinters at Olympic Games

Indeed, the values and ethics of sports- such as fair play and team spirit- are invaluable elements in building a prosperous society.

Also Read: Shooter Sanjeev approaches HC over arms licence notice

How sports has become a change agent in overhauling our society?

Historically, sports has played a vital role in overhauling communities. It pours in positivity in our lives. The joy of playing and watching it are immense. In the meantime, sports give us plenty of role models to follow and take inspiration from their lives to lead a successful life.

Intro:Body:

Hyderabad: April 6 is considered to be the International Sports day for the development of peace. It is believed that the playground is just the opposite of battleground. Sports brings peace, prosperity and harmony among people and between nations. It breaks the barriers of caste, creed, religion, culture and sex.

It is to be noted that the International Sports day is a global observance and not a public holiday.

Sport as a Powerful Tool : 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United Nations (UN) had been in agreement of using Sports as a weapon to bring social change. This the IOC and UN believed will be made possible by improving education, health, economic and social development.

Day to remember :

On 23 August, 2013 the UN decided to celebrate April 6 every year as the International Day of Sports. Co-incidentally the Olympics games began from this day in Athens way back in 1896. Piere de Coubertin, founder of IOC, opined that the Olympics can promote harmony among people.

Basic concept :

UNESCO had declared Sports as a fundamental right for all. 

Sport is the most unifying and inspiring development and peace tool in the world. :

Some of the initiatives taken to use sport as a weapon of peace and prosperity are as follows :

•    In 2004, India sent its cricket team to Pakistan, to give diplomacy one more chance even though after Kargil war.

•    The DLF Cup was the name for two ODI between India and Pakistan to be held in UAE in April. The revenue of the friendship cup matches went to help the victims of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. 

•    The Miracle on Ice came at a time when tensions were high in the Cold War, and South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup victory helped a nation heal from decades of Apartheid.

•    In September 1991, Moldavia was hit by floods that killed hundreds of people. Football game brings a glimmer of hope to the people affected by the flooding.

•    In 2010 found that sport in hugely ethnically divided Sri Lanka was helping to bring three distinct communities together.

•    The International Olympic Committee invested $2 million from its emergency fund into providing sporting facilities at the largest refugee centre in Greece.

So we can say Sports is the only medium that can bring peace and unity in today's era of unrest. 


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Last Updated : Apr 6, 2019, 12:03 PM IST
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