THUNDER BAY—April 6 was International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. The day offered everyone around the world the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the positive role that sport and physical activity play in communities and the people who live in them.
Thunder Bay’s Indigenous Friendship Centre, acknowledged this day, with their own posting about it on their Facebook page. They shared their sentiment that, “Sport has the power to change the world; it is a fundamental right and a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and promote sustainable development and peace, as well as solidarity and respect for all.”
According to UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, who on UN.org was quoted in saying, “Sport has the power to align our passion, energy and enthusiasm around a collective cause. And that is precisely when hope can be nurtured and trust can be regained. It is in our collective interest to harness the tremendous power of sport to help build a better and more sustainable future for all.”
The worldwide pandemic, which all people have had to experience and adapt to, has presented so many challenges to the ability for anyone to engage, interact and participate in their favorite sport activity. With restrictions easing and the people around the globe being able to control COVID-19 much more successfully, we could once again begin to re-enter the world of sports.
From a young age, parents, guardians, and caregivers work hard to provide their child with opportunities to learn and participate in a variety of sports; from swimming, to cycling, baseball, skating, gymnastics, soccer and hockey; to name a few. They, too, understand the mental and physical benefits of these activities, for their child and themselves too. Sports typically teach leadership, and comradery. It provides a variety of opportunities to make new friends, or just enjoy the outdoors whether playing on a team, or by yourself.
Ultimately, as the Indigenous Friendship Centre alluded to, sports bring people together in a variety of social settings in a respectful, accepting environment.
