On August 23, 2013, the UN General Assembly unanimously decided to celebrate April 6 as International Sports Day. The official name of Day — is International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
The sponsors of the draft resolution (№ A/RES/67/296) included Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Macedonia. In adopting the resolution, the General Assembly recognized the positive impact that sport has on the promotion of human rights and social and economic development.
The meeting of the General Assembly was attended by the President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge and the «first racket of the world» Novak Djokovic. In his speech on the occasion of the adoption of the resolution, Jacques Rogge emphasized that there have long been traditions of cooperation between the IOC and the UN in the field of sports. They began in 1952, when UNESCO carried out its first campaign to popularize sports as a means of education.
Serbian Novak Djokovic, for his part, reminded those present that he was born and raised in a small country, but thanks to sports he managed to achieve great success and visit many countries of the world. Djokovic added that sport is the best way to strengthen your character.
«I hope that the establishment of International Sports Day will motivate each of us to focus our efforts on developing the core values of sport, such as fair play, team consistency and respect for the opponent. These are universal qualities», — said the tennis player.
Games, sports and physical education have played and continue to play an important role in the development of humanity. Sport has the ability to change the world.
After all, sport, being one of the instruments of education, development and peace, contributes to strengthening cooperation, solidarity, tolerance, understanding and social inclusion at the local, national and international levels. Its values, such as teamwork, justice, discipline, respect for the enemy and the rules of the game, are understood throughout the world and can be used to promote solidarity, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Games, sports and physical education have played and continue to play an important role in the development of humanity (Photo: NataSnow, Shutterstock)
For this reason, the United Nations invites all States, organizations of the United Nations system, and primarily the United Nations Office of Sport for Development and Peace, as well as international, regional and national sports organizations, civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and all other stakeholders to celebrate and promote awareness of International Sports Day.
In addition, the General Assembly recognized the role that the International Paralympic Committee plays in clearly demonstrating to people around the world the achievements of athletes with disabilities and in decisively promoting changes in society's views on the sport of people with disabilities.
According to the founders, International Sports Day should be a successful addition to International Olympic Day, celebrated annually on June 23. On Sports Day, residents of different countries also take part in sports competitions, starting with 10-kilometer races and marathons and including group sports games, cycling races and educational events.
• Infographics – poster «6 April — International Day of Sports for Development and Peace»