By SayPro Chief Operations Officer- Clifford Legodi
Date: April 6, 2025
Good morning, distinguished guests, colleagues, partners, athletes, and young champions of peace and development.
It is both a privilege and an honour to stand before you today on this important occasion—the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
On behalf of SayPro—the South African Youth Project—I wish to extend warm greetings and heartfelt gratitude to everyone who continues to believe in the transformative power of sport. To our global partners, community leaders, educators, and especially the young people driving change: thank you.
Sport as a Universal Language
Sport has the rare power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs. It speaks a universal language that fosters teamwork, discipline, fair play, and most importantly, hope.
In communities where opportunity is scarce, sport provides structure. Where conflict persists, it provides peace. And where inequality threatens to take root, it levels the playing field.
Today, we celebrate sport not just as a game—but as a catalyst for social inclusion, gender equality, education, and economic empowerment.
SayPro’s Commitment to Sport and Development
At SayPro, we see sport not only as recreation but as a strategic pillar of youth development. Through our programmes, we have seen young women and men from disadvantaged communities rise above their circumstances. They have built leadership skills on the field—and carried them confidently into boardrooms, businesses, and their communities.
In 2025, SayPro will expand our reach in rural and urban communities alike, by:
- Launching sport-integrated life skills training in 20 new areas across South Africa and beyond.
- Partnering with local sports clubs and federations to train young coaches and mentors.
- Supporting girls’ access to sport as a tool to fight child marriage, early pregnancy, and dropout rates.
- Using sports events as platforms for peace-building and conflict resolution workshops.
We believe that every child has the right to play, to dream, and to thrive.
A Call to Action
But our work is not done.
I call upon government departments, private companies, international bodies, and local communities to invest in sports as a vehicle for sustainable development. Let us ensure that no child is left on the sidelines due to poverty, gender, or disability.
Let us create inclusive and safe spaces where young people can express themselves, learn resilience, and build a future.
Closing Thoughts
As Nelson Mandela once said, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”
Today, let us walk away with that spirit in our hearts.
Together, through sport, we can build not only stronger individuals, but also stronger communities, stronger nations, and a more peaceful world.
Thank you—and may the spirit of sport continue to guide our efforts toward justice, peace, and prosperity for all.
Happy International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
#Sport4Development #SayPro2025 #CliffordLegodi #YouthEmpowerment
Leave a Reply