Sport unites people, says El Sharkawi

Manama : Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Resident Coordinator Amin El Sharkawi stressed the role of sport in uniting people from all around the world and elude conflicts.

This came during the opening day sessions of this two-day conference, hosted by Art Rotana Amwaj Hotel in Muharraq.

“The United Nations believes in the role of sport in achieving world peace by uniting people. Sport can also reduce their suffering, particularly in areas with political and ethnic conflicts, or those lacking necessary potentials, where poverty and other social problems prevail,” said El Sharkawi.

“In 2001, the United Nations had established a dedicated office for sport and development, which has a great interest in programmes and general policies in recognition of its importance in providing young people with the opportunity to develop communities by incorporating them in a conducive environment,” he said.

The Youth and Sports Affairs Ministry is bringing this event for the first time in the Arab region in cooperation with the United Nations Office in Bahrain and the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (ICHPER.SD).