CYSDP hosts public forum on Sports for development and peace

To mark the 2017 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Network (CYSDP) in partnership with the United Nations Information Center (UNIC), Lagos, hosted a Public Forum on Sport for Development and Peace in Nigeria.

The Event which took place on Thursday 21st April 2017, was organised by CYSDP Africa Regional Representatives Adeola Taiwo Diya and John Oluwadero to further the #Sport4DevelopmentNG campaign objectives, which are to promote the instrumentality of Sports as a tool for achieving humanitarian, peace-building and development objectives.

Participants were told that the campaign is also designed to mobilize support and actions for the Nigeria Sports Bill.

The event had in attendance representatives from governments, civil society, youth-led organisations, academics and members of the sport and development community.

The Director of UNIC Lagos, Mr. Kayanja, stated that the UN takes the issue of Sports seriously, and therefore established a special envoy for Sports, Development & Peace. In Agenda 2030, Sport is important to promote Peace, Good Health and Well Being. Women are encouraged to participate equally in sports, thereby promoting SDG 3 and SDG 5.

Hon. A. Kasunmu, Chairman House Committee on Sport, Lagos State House of Assembly, advocated for the legislative instrument to promote Sport for development and peace. He further spoke on the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund Bill.

Damilola Oluwatoyinbo, a leadership consultant and CEO of Dream Academy, spoke on Values education and positive youth development through Sports.

Mrs. Tomisin Adeoye of Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative led the interactive session on the design of Sports programming for promoting development and peace building objectives.

Participants further engaged in working group sessions where recommendations and a call to action was made towards fostering alliances for the promotion of Sports for development and peace practice in Nigeria.

The #Sport4DevelopmentNG advocacy Campaign aims at promoting Sports as tool for achieving humanitarian, peace-building and development objectives. The Campaign is also designed to mobilize support and actions for the Nigeria Sports Bill.

Press Statement on #Sport4DevelopmentNG Campaign: https://www.thecable.ng/commonwealth-youths-rally-support-nigeria-sports-bill

Get involved: https://sport4developmentng.wordpress.com/take-action/

Photos: courtesy of John Oluwadero