IDSDP2025: Submissions from the sport for peace community

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JAFA Soccer Academy, Pakistan

Sport possesses a unique power to bridge divides of caste, color, and culture—uniting people in a shared spirit of respect, discipline, and community. For Lyari, one of Karachi’s oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods, this truth runs deep. Here, sport is more than recreation—it’s a symbol of resilience, pride, and identity. Despite facing economic and social challenges, Lyari continues to produce national and international athletes across football, boxing, cycling, and martial arts.

In celebration of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) on April 6, JAFA Soccer Academy is organizing inclusive football matches for both boys and girls to promote gender equality and showcase sport’s role in peacebuilding. These events will bring together youth from diverse backgrounds in a safe, supportive space, reinforcing the message that sport can be a powerful force for unity and transformation. By advocating for more accessible and institutionalized sports opportunities, JAFA envisions a society where investing in sport is synonymous with investing in peace, equality, and the next generation of changemakers.

— Muhammad Faheem, Representative

Instagram: @jafasocceracademy | fahimshad4@gmail.com | Image credit: JAFA Soccer Academy

SportWORKS, Kenya

Through the SportWORKS – Cheza Healthy initiative, Commonwealth Sport Canada, in partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) and Mount Royal University, is harnessing the power of sport to combat non-communicable diseases among Kenyan youth. Cheza Healthy. “Cheza” means “play” in Swahili. The program focuses on educating school-aged children about the importance of physical activity for lifelong wellness. The program blends health education with dynamic group activities like games and dance, while also connecting youth with inspirational Kenyan athletes such as Ferdinand Omanyala, who share their personal journeys and the role sport played in their success. Each session ends with students forming Olympic Clubs to continue engaging in physical activity while promoting Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence.

Since launching in April 2024, the initiative — under the banner of the the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace — has directly reached over 2,000 children through 10 community-centered events. As part of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship program, student leaders from Canada support the project on the ground, ensuring sustainability and cross-cultural collaboration. On this International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Cheza Healthy stands as a powerful example of how sport can unite communities, inspire youth, and build healthier futures.

— Luna Sinclair, Bachelor of Health and Physical Education student from Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada

LEAD Edu, Liberia & Morocco

LEAD Edu is redefining the role of sport in youth empowerment by combining football and education to foster leadership, gender equality, and social inclusion across communities in Liberia and Morocco. With initiatives like She Plays Football—supported by AFD and PLAY International—LEAD Edu is creating safe, inclusive spaces for girls to develop both their athletic skills and leadership potential. This flagship program brings together students from local schools for weekends filled with empowerment-focused coaching, interactive workshops, and football tournaments, all designed to challenge gender stereotypes and build confidence.

On April 6, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, we celebrate the ability of sport to transcend differences and unite people—just as it continues to do for the young leaders in our programs today. Since 2021, over 700 student-athletes have benefited from this initiative, which continues to be a powerful example of sport's ability to drive positive change. On the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, LEAD Edu celebrates the unifying force of football and its role in shaping the next generation of ethical, empathetic, and entrepreneurial leaders.

— Will Smith, LEAD Edu Founder

dbolanos@leadedu.org | leadedu.org | Instagram: @leadeduorg | Image credit: Lead Edu

Swiss Academy for Development, Global

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) on April 6th serves as a moment to recognize sport’s powerful role in promoting peace and sustainable development. It celebrates the collective efforts of international sports organizations, athletes, states, and civil society in driving positive social change through sport. The Swiss Academy for Development (SA4D) highlights the increasing global recognition of sport’s ability to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as affirmed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Sport fosters inclusion, peacebuilding, education, and environmental awareness, while also equipping individuals with essential skills for the future. On this day, SA4D amplifies its work in the field of sport for development and peace through articles, social media, and photos, encouraging further collective action to enhance visibility and impact.

— Giovanna del Drago, Programme Manager

deldrago@sa4d.org | sa4d.org | Instagram: @sportanddevelopment | Image credit: SA4D

Portuguese Association of Swimming Coaches, São Tomé and Príncipe

In São Tomé and Príncipe, where most of the population can’t swim and no formal aquatic professions exist, the Portuguese Association of Swimming Coaches is leading the São Tomé and Príncipe a Nadar project to change that. In partnership with the national swimming federation, the initiative is launching the island’s first Sea Swimming Technician course—empowering local youth with lifesaving skills, creating job opportunities, and promoting gender equality.

To celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the project will host a beach event with 50 children and trainee instructors. The day will highlight water safety, marine conservation, and the unifying power of sport. With over 20 young people from across the island enrolled, the vision is to establish sea swimming schools led by local communities, supporting sustainable development and inclusion—especially for girls and women.

This initiative proves that sport isn’t just about play—it’s a force for education, empowerment, and lasting social change.

— Rita Fernandes, Social advisor and mentor of the São Tomé and Príncipe swimming project

aptn.social@gmail.com | rita.fernandes21@gmail.com | garbagedesign.co.uk/fnstp.st/markdown | Instagram: @sao_tome_e_principe_a_nadar_ | Image credit: São Tomé and Príncipe a Nadar

Kigezi Women Football Tournament, Uganda

Sports share a single international language and enable skills like decision-making and discipline to transition into the real life skills needed for any community to achieve peace and development.

As part of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the Kigezi Women Football Tournament will mark the occasion with a friendly girls' match aimed at raising awareness around the role of sport in fostering inclusion, sustainability, and youth empowerment.

In regions like Kigezi, initiatives like this not only spotlight young female athletes but also serve as platforms for promoting environmental stewardship, gender equality, and intergenerational equity—ensuring that today’s efforts support the well-being of future generations. Sport, in its invisible yet tangible way, continues to electrify movements for global change.

— Nkamusiima Dianah

Facebook: Nkamusiima Dianah | Image credit: Kigezi Women's Football Tournament

Yoga and Sport with Refugees, Greece

Sport has long served as a bridge—uniting communities, breaking down barriers, and fostering integration, solidarity, and skills development. At Yoga and Sport with Refugees (YSR), this power is harnessed daily in support of displaced and marginalized people. As the world marks the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), it’s an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the transformational role sport plays—not only in promoting health and wellbeing, but also in building resilient, inclusive societies.

YSR will mark the occasion by amplifying its work across digital platforms, showcasing a wide range of ongoing activities that use movement and sport as tools for healing and empowerment. From yoga sessions to running clubs, climbing groups to martial arts, each program fosters connection and confidence in refugee communities.

While current global challenges—such as reduced development funding—pose a threat to grassroots initiatives, the long-term potential of sport for development (S4D) remains compelling. Research is increasingly recognizing sport as a legitimate avenue for mental health intervention, particularly among refugees, trauma survivors, people with disabilities, and underprivileged youth. Through its growing collaboration with university researchers and student volunteers, YSR is contributing to this body of evidence, helping to shape future pathways for sustainable, inclusive support.

Sport isn’t just a pastime—it’s a vehicle for change. And at YSR, every session brings that transformation closer.

— Donal Cotter | Communications and Advocacy Manager

donal@yogasportwithrefugees.org | yogasportwithrefugees.org | Facebook: Yogasportwithrefugees | LinkedIn: Yoga and Sport with Refugees | Image credit: Yoga and Sport with Refugees

The IDSDP 2025 call for submissions was part of a campaign to showcase the work being done by organisations around the world. Many thanks to all those who submitted their activities this year! sportanddev continues to welcome submissions from the community. Register, log in and submit your content!