sports

International Judo Federation (IJF) President Marius L. Vizer (left) and UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried Lemke sign partnership in Abu Dhabi.
IJF

UN partners with International Judo Federation to promote positive social change

12 October 2012
A partnership to promote the impact of judo in bringing about positive social change was signed today between the United Nations and International Judo Federation (IJF), on the sidelines of the Judo Grand Prix, taking place in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa prior to the 2010 World Cup kick-off.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

South Africa’s carbon footprint during World Cup year lower than projected – UN report

10 October 2012
South Africa’s carbon footprint for 2010, the year it hosted the football World Cup, was lower than previously expected, says a new United Nations report, which highlights the successes and lessons that other countries must learn to ensure the sustainability of major international sporting events.
Sierra Leonean amputees take part in football exhibition game.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN official hails 2012 Paralympic Games as celebration of inclusion

29 August 2012
With the 2012 London Paralympic Games only hours away from their torch-lighting ceremony, a senior United Nations official has lauded the sporting event for its celebration of inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried Lemke.
UNOSDP/K&W Bringmeier

UN envoy on sport for peace praises ‘exemplary’ Summer Olympics

13 August 2012
The United Nations envoy on sport for peace today lauded the London 2012 Olympic Games for their remarkable displays of athletic achievement, as well as for paving the road for future successes in promoting social change in a range of areas, from gender equality to peace building.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (second from right), holding the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Secretary-General to take part in London Olympics torch run

24 July 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will head later this week to London, where he will take part in the torch run for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games on Thursday and attend the opening ceremony on Friday, his spokesperson announced today.
Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried Lemke.
UNOSDP/K&W Bringmeier

UN envoy on sport for peace lauds Saudi decision on female athletes at Olympics

12 July 2012
The United Nations envoy on sport for peace today welcomed the decision made by Saudi Arabia to send female athletes to London to compete in the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, and Gwangju Mayor and GUOC Co-Chairman, Kang Un-Tae at the signing of the agreement.
UNOSDP

UN and 2015 Universiade organizers aim to promote dialogue through sport

11 July 2012
The United Nations and the organisers of the 2015 Universiade – an international sporting and cultural event for university students, which will be held in the Republic of Korea – have signed a partnership agreement which aims to support the attainment and awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as to promote dialogue and mutual understanding through sport.
UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan
UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan

UN backs initiative that would allow female soccer players to wear headscarves

29 February 2012
A top United Nations official expressed support today for an initiative that would allow female soccer players to wear a headscarf, also known as a hijab, while on the field, stressing that every person should have the right to enjoy the world’s most popular sport regardless of their gender, race or religious beliefs.
Óscar Washington Tabárez, also known as “El Maestro,” worked as a teacher in Uruguay in the late 1960s.
Government of Uruguay

Uruguayan football manager Óscar Tabárez named UN Champion for Sport

27 January 2012
Uruguayan national football team manager Óscar Tabárez, known as El Maestro (The Teacher), will help promote education and sports programmes for vulnerable children in his native country, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced today, as part of his new role as Champion for Sport for the agency.
Participants at the Youth Leadership Camp in Doha, Qatar, organized by the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace.
UNOSDP

Youth depart UN leadership camp with plans to use sport to tackle social issues

20 January 2012
Twenty-nine young people from nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the occupied Palestinian territory enhanced their leadership skills on how to use sport to address social issues affecting their communities during a United Nations youth camp in Doha, Qatar.