International Sports Day observed

ISLAMABAD: The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace was observed at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) here Sunday.

A large number of international and national players gathered in the capital for ITF Internationals, PTF officials, parents, and coaches participated in the campaign, holding white cards under the slogan: “Where there is no sport, there is no peace.”

As the world celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6, the International Cricket Council (ICC) casts light on some of the remarkable programmes that highlight the power of the sport globally to overcome barriers and cultivate positive social change.

On the theme of ‘Levelling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion’, a number of ongoing programmes taking place across ICC Member federations continue to be a catalyst for change, benefitting the lives of women and girls, refugees and other disadvantaged communities with cricket at its heart.

In the Asia region, one of the longstanding programmes that have sought to foster transformative social change has been the ‘Cricket for Change/All’ programme delivered by the Bhutan Cricket Council Board and UNICEF Bhutan.

As the world commemorates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the global hockey community under the International Hockey Federation (FIH) stands united in celebrating the sport’s incredible capacity to foster inclusion, empower communities, and drive positive change. Across continents -- from Africa to Oceania, Europe to Asia, and the Americas -- hockey continues to inspire a movement that transcends the field of play.

“In a world where so many tensions have arisen and a lot of social and economic unbalance between countries still exists,” said FIH President Tayyab Ikram. “The yearly International Day of Sport for Development and Peace reminds us of the huge potential of sport to be a fantastic common denominator and unite people.

In this regard, hockey is determined to play its part, and I call upon our global hockey community to enhance its great efforts to grow our sport and be a force of inclusion for all communities.”