November 29, World (LNW): The Olympic Games have evolved beyond their traditional role as a sporting spectacle, transforming into a powerful platform for social change and development.
The focus has shifted from merely showcasing athletic prowess to actively engaging in social interventions aimed at addressing global issues such as inequality, injustice, and ignorance.
In this new era, the Olympics is playing an integral role in advancing human and social development, using sport as a tool to unite communities and address pressing social challenges.
Under the initiative Olympism365, launched by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a new approach to sports-based social development is being pursued. As part of this initiative, the IOC has recognised 12 innovative projects from around the world that are using sport to foster positive change.
These projects, which focus on critical areas such as health, education, and gender equality, have received a total of US $170,000 in funding to further their missions.
The selected projects span a diverse range of countries, including Somalia, Egypt, Palestine, South Sudan, Bolivia, Brazil, and Uganda. Each project is unique in its approach, addressing local issues whilst leveraging the universal language of sport to create solutions that resonate within their specific contexts.
The common goal is to empower communities by promoting positive social change through sporting activities, fostering values such as teamwork, resilience, and equality.
One standout example is Watoto Wasoka, a Ugandan organisation dedicated to mobilising, educating, and empowering children living in temporary shelters.
Through football, Watoto Wasoka aims to promote gender equality and teach good health practices, such as proper hand hygiene, in underserved communities.
By combining sports with education on hygiene, the organisation is not only improving the physical well-being of the children but also empowering them with the knowledge to make positive changes in their lives.
Francis Mugoya, the executive director of Watoto Wasoka, explained, “Our goal is to continue using football as a conduit for social transformation through education, whilst also bringing life-changing practices for proper hand hygiene to a wider community.”
The programme uses structured football sessions to engage children in meaningful activities, creating opportunities for them to learn, grow, and develop in a safe and supportive environment.
Watoto Wasoka, along with other organisations supported by Olympism365, exemplifies the growing trend of using sport to bring about transformative social change. From cycling to skateboarding, these organisations are creating safe spaces for children in some of the world’s most disadvantaged communities to not only play but also learn important life skills.
Through these initiatives, the Olympic movement is demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility and harnessing the power of sport to create a better future for the next generation. By empowering local leaders and activists who deeply understand the needs of their communities, Olympism365 is helping to create lasting social change.
*Adapted from original article, “ක්රීඩාව හරහා යහපත් සමාජයක් ප්රතිනිර්මාණය කිරීමට කැපවෙන සංවිධාන සඳහා අයිඕසී ප්රදාන” by Nishman Ranasinghe published on 29/11/2024.
