The two organisations were joined by athletes participating in the Games, as well as National Olympic Committees, schoolchildren and the general public to mark the second edition of the United Nations (UN) initiative.

It aims to highlight the power of sport as a catalyst for social change, development and peace, and is supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

Founded in 1995 by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir of Qatar, ROTA is a Non-Governmental Organisation which seeks to provide those in need across the Asian continent with quality education and provide support to its neighbouring countries as they overcome developmental difficulties.

“The Qatar Olympic Committee is pleased to partner with Reach Out to Asia to celebrate International Day of Sport for Development and Peace,” said Mohammed Al Fadala, director of PR and marketing at the QOC.

“Sport is an incredibly powerful tool for social change and community development, and we are fully supportive of the work that the UN and International Olympic Committee are doing to build a better world through sport.

“The GCC Beach Games is a fantastic opportunity to promote this initiative as it unites different nations through sport and highlights the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle in all members of society.”

The QOC partnered with ROTA at its most-recent Schools Olympic Programme (SOP) finals, which were held last month at the Aspire Dome in Doha.

The SOP, which sees students aged five to 18 compete throughout the school year, has been categorised by a different theme in each of its eight editions, with this year's, sport and peace, following on from sport and health, sport and the environment, and sport and education, among others.

“The Qatar Olympic Committee is also committed to ensuring that the promotion of this initiative is more than just one day of celebration,” added Al Fadala, who is also executive director of the SOP.

“The theme of this year’s Schools Olympic Programme was 'sport and peace' and, through our partnership with Reach Out to Asia, we were able to educate our schoolchildren about the importance of sport in developing and uniting society and spread the Olympic values of friendship and respect.

“It is wonderful to have children from the Schools Olympic Programme here today so that they can see first-hand the power of sport in action.”

ROTA, chaired by Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser, has also recently helped to launch the #1in11 campaign, as part of a unique partnership with UNICEF and the FC Barcelona Foundation aimed at harnessing the power of sport and education to ensure that every child has the opportunities they deserve in life.

Football star Lionel Messi and world number one women’s tennis player Serena Williams are ambassadors of the campaign.

“ROTA has many projects across Asia that are using sport to assist with social revitalisation, youth development and access to quality education.

“We are committed to helping the global effort to achieve basic, quality education for schoolchildren throughout Asia and the Middle East and sport is an important tool in helping to succeed in this.”

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace offers the opportunity to promote sport and physical activity as a universal tool and driver for social change, contributing to development, the fight against social stigma and discrimination, gender equality, healthy behaviours and peace-building.

The IOC are celebrating the day through a digital campaign on its social platforms, featuring stories of popular Olympians and sports people who have used their fame to give back and contribute to social change through sport.

They are encouraging National Olympic Committees, athletes and sports organisations around the world to tweet their support for the day using the hash tag #sport4betterworld.

Part of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 reform process reflects the need to reinforce the role of sport in society, and to strengthen strategic partnerships to this end.

The QOC has been raising awareness of the initiative as part of the GCC Beach Games sport presentation, as well as encouraging all athletes and National Olympic Committees participating in the GCC Beach Games to tweet their support, and promoting it through the QOC’s own social media channels.

The GCC Beach Games began on April 2 and are scheduled to come to a close on Thursday (April 9).

Qatar claimed the gold medal in the men's handball competition, led by captain Mohsen Yafaei, who joined in the celebrations for International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.


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