Sporting organisations around the world come together today to celebrate the great power of sport and its reaches beyond the field of play.
The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) shines a light on sport’s ability to drive social change, community development and to foster peace and understanding.
British Olympians are regulars in schools and sports clubs up and down the country looking to inspire the next generation of athletes but also encourage people of all ages to use sport to live healthier, happier lives. Few sports can inspire and ignite social and personal change like boxing and, for Britain’s boxers, the power of the sport has inspired their British Lionhearts in the Community (BLITC) project, which in 2017 is now entering its second year.
After a launch of year two at the Houses of Parliament alongside Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch MP last month, the work of the Lionheart's in the first 12 months helped create 12 new community boxing hubs in London and engaged with 2,321 people in the sport.
“I got into boxing because I wanted to do something with myself and not just be one of those kids that hang around the street,” said Rio 2016 Olympian Muhammad Ali. “It’s great that through the Lionhearts we are able to inspire other people to take-up the sport.”
Almost 2,000 of those who engaged with the project signed up to be directed to their local boxing club with almost 600 females looking to give the sport a try. BLITC also provides coaches and volunteering opportunities within boxing, with hundreds signing up for training.
Marques Sobande-Stone, who has taken up boxing, after initially trying the sport at a community engagement day in Kensington and Chelsea, said: “I could not believe my luck when I came across the British Lionhearts in the community tour in Kensington & Chelsea. "The project gave me the opportunity to take part in free boxing courses and signposted me to my local boxing club (Hammersmith Boxing Academy), where I am now a volunteer and competitive boxer.
“It has given me confidence and direction and I am now attending college and studying for an NVQ in sport and boxing. I have stayed in touch with the project and volunteer at the community days."
The United Nations declared the 6th April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace in 2013, linking with the anniversary of the Opening Ceremony of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. It has been celebrated every year from 2014 and this year the UN and the International Olympic Committee will promote their #WePlayTogether and #Sport4BetterWorld campaigns