While sport lends itself to being a catalyst for many things, it is working harder these days to bring about solutions to today's mounting problems where a peaceful environment is becoming less the norm in many regions of the world.

How can sport bring about a peaceful solution where armed conflict and political strife are a daily way of life in many countries? While there are a number of entities and NGOs that are trying to fill the gap where Governments are failing, not that they want to, a lack of resources, downsized economics and armed conflict enter the scene.

The SGTG initiative has run a course of securing equipment from various sources, including manufacturers, schools and the military, to bring to those that need it the most - young people - especially in countries where armed conflict is a way of life and political upheaval is an everyday occurrence. 

In collaboration with the 100 plus member International Sport Federations (IF), SGTG was established to find ways that IFs could better access sporting equipment into countries where there was a lack of equipment available.

Many IFs have quantities of equipment from their sport through various sponsorships and programmes, and in turn make the equipment available to their member National Federations for use in either competition events or development of the sport.

SGTG, with its constituent Federations, and other entities previously mentioned, have and are providing continuous support but are limited by the lack of a solution to shipping problems and accessing the equipment in countries where sometimes the customs fees exceed the value of the equipment itself.

The lack of sporting equipment is mostly in third world countries but even in more developed countries there is a shortage of certain equipment. At the start of the SGTG project in 2003, things got off to a good start with donations and support by a number of humanitarian and charitable organisations which resulted in large quantities of equipment being acquired and distributed.

However, shortly thereafter it slowed and had run its course due to economics and other factors that had greatly reduced VIK and Pro-bono sources.

In support of the SGTG project are endorsements from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), the United Nations and various regional entities of sport, all working to bring hope to young people through opportunities in sport.

Also, the NGOs involved were SGMA­ International, WFSGI, World Vision, Gifts in Kind, Right to Play, Mercy Corps, World Olympians, Partners of the Americas and Special Olympics.

Since then, a number of those NGOs have dropped out of the programme, mainly because of budget reductions and priorities with humanitarian matters (i.e. medical, food, and clothing).

Within the United Nations, a number of agencies were active including UNHCR and ILO. Also, CISM, the military organisation, became involved with possibilities of moving equipment by military aircraft. Although again escalation of armed conflict has put this on hold.

Other organisations providing support in the realm of helping the youth with opportunities of participation in sport activities tied to peace initiatives are Prince Albert of Monaco's "Peace and Sport" and Prince Feisal of  Jordan's "Generations for Peace". 

These organisations, while working jointly and collectively, strengthened the base to find solutions to secure the necessary equipment in countries and see that it reaches and is used for those it is intended for, ultimately bringing hope and opportunity in regaining stability that would allow sport to re-enter many young lives.

It is evident where equipment and technical support are given priority and access into a country as positive developments surface, where young people can see hope and opportunities to make their lives more meaningful and spirited.

Granted, the humanitarian side is a priority as many refugees are fleeing to find better lives for their families, but if sport can help boys and girls regain a life of hope let's try to make it a priority also.

Leadership in this area, while being provided through programmes mentioned above, still needs the collaboration of all the entities of sport, and foremost is the basic need of equipment getting to where it is needed with the least amount of cost and bureaucratic tie up.

Acquiring equipment has changed in recent years. Whereas in the beginning of SGTG many of the manufacturers provided equipment, the economy and budgets again brought this to a halt.

But, another source of equipment is the schools, especially colleges and universities. Equipment at many schools is on a seasonal basis, and used equipment is readily available sometimes within a year or two.

The next need is as mentioned earlier, the shipping of the equipment. There are again many NGOs and others such as the IOC and NOCs which have arrangements with freight companies and the military, if and when cargo flights become available.

At the end of all this kids need to be throwing and kicking balls, scoring goals and runs, not rocks or bombs. All the entities mentioned are working, but the frustration dilutes the gain that is being made and there is more that needs to be done.

Gaining support from school entities and manufacturers for equipment and pursuing military and the freight companies for transportation as well as access arrangements with customs are vital to the success of SGTG.

We are continuing efforts to bring in partners, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Special Olympics (SOI)  and others that have expressed interest.

It's time. We continue to work on solutions to the above questions so that opportunities to bring sport to those that presently have no sport will see it enter their lives in the not too distant future, irrespective of whatever part of the world they reside, irrespective of economic, moral or internal conflict. So it is important that such a project should be encouraged and helped to succeed.