The United Nations (UN) has proclaimed the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace which takes place on April 06, in 2020.
This date goes back to the first modern time Summer Olympics of 1896. Sports bring values like tolerance, fairness; teamwork and mutual respect to support a peaceful living together in solidarity. The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace focuses on the aspects of sports that would have a positive influence on the healthy development of the individual.
Today, the IDSDP, the IOC and the whole Olympic Movement join the global effort to encourage everyone to be active and stay healthy at a time when the world is fighting an unprecedented health crisis, and when people are being asked to stay at home to contain the spread of COVID-19.
During the crucial of time of social distancing and uncertainty sports or any physical activities are imperative to stay fit and healthy. Any physical movement only has positive features and helps people beat any negative thoughts, lowers stress and depression, and strengthens the immune system. By joining the Be Active campaign, the IOC is showing the unity and solidarity of the sporting community with the rest of the world.
Despite the innumerable challenges, the IDSDP remains a great opportunity for the sport and development community to showcase the ways sport has been helping countries, communities and individuals to live peaceful, prosperous lives. While sport has great power to bring people together, this same quality is exactly why the global sports community has been particularly affected by the necessary health measures imposed in countries around the world.
Sports has unlimited potential to shape the lives of millions of individuals. It does not discriminate based on caste, creed, race, religion or nationality. The faster the countries realize their importance, the greater the development of its community.
