Have you Witnessed the Power of Sports Uniting People?

Por Karina Zapata-Roche
May 30th, 2018

Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where there was only despair.” Nelson Mandela.

The unifying power of sport has a place in history. It has given a means to reopen diplomatic dialogue between countries. For example, China’s Ping-Pong diplomacy a table tennis event held in the early 1970s between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, which ended 25 years without communication or diplomatic relations between the two countries, and led to the re-establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979.

Another example is the pro tennis doubles team of India’s Rohan Bopanna and Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. Fans from both countries would fill the stadiums for their matches. They even started a campaign called “Stop War, Start Tennis”.

Basically tennis has given me everything. I feel like it’s my obligation now and my responsibility to give something back. Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi,» Pakistan.

Sport has given me so much that now I want to take the knowledge and give back to youngsters and show them the right direction.» Rohan Bopanna, India.

The most recent example might be the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, which brought  North and South Korean athletes together under a unified flag during the ceremonies, leaving politics aside. 

Through these examples history inspires new generations to seek for peace and encourages them to keep fostering sport as a means for peace among communities, regions, nations.

Today, St. Lawrence’s High School in India invites all Jesuit schools to participate in the second edition of Expression 2018, a Drawing Competition created to harness students’ creativity and perception of “Peace through Sports” through illustrations and sketches.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers of the Jesuit Global School Network to contribute to world Peace!

See how to participate in Expression 2018 and help your school to become a stepping stone by which many more children can be propelled towards becoming ‘ambassadors’ of Peace!

If you have any questions please send an email to: expression@stlawrencehighschool.edu.in or to info@educatemagis.org