Develop your skills through sport

Sport has an impact on the individual and collective development of men and women, boys and girls, and contributes to the transformation of individuals and societies. That is why we talk about “sport for development”.

There are many values inherent in sport:

sport has positive effects on people’s physical and mental well-being. It helps to channel stress and frustration, promotes mental balance and emotional well-being.

sport – especially team sport – is unifying. It builds interpersonal relationships and even friendships, beyond linguistic, cultural, religious, and ethnic barriers. In this way, sport contributes to reducing prejudice, supporting diversity and encouraging social cohesion.

Sport makes it possible to mobilize and engage people, and to make them aware of important themes. It is about creating safe spaces in which girls and women can express themselves openly, for example on sensitive topics related to sexuality and health.

Sports activities transmit fundamental values (such as tolerance, respect, fair play, etc.) and strengthen the essential life skills of young people to enable them to overcome difficulties on and off the pitch, and live a successful and fulfilling life.

Qualities and skills you can develop through sport:

self-confidence

team spirit

communication determination

cooperation,

problem-solving,

decision-making

adaptability

and so many others.

In the field, you can become aware of your unique value and important contribution to society. You are encouraged to make decisions, express your opinion, take responsibility and assert your rights.

It is about getting to know, master and apply these skills in the field as in everyday life and in relationships with others, to build your present and your future, and to have a positive influence on your friends, your family, your community.

Boys and men also have an important role to play in achieving gender equality. It is about making them aware, through sport, of respect for women as partners, on the ground and outside, and of defending their rights alongside them. To play this role, they too need to be informed about gender issues, such as violence against women and girls, sexuality, the menstrual cycle, and the rights of different people.

Thus, sports for development can prevent and combat discrimination against women and girls, starting with the sports field.

Text suggested by Sport for Development in Africa.

The GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) “Sport for Development in Africa” (S4DA) project uses the educational potential of sport to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The project is mandated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).