In just over two months, the world’s largest sports tournament will begin in Mexico City and, as usual, billions of people around the world are expected to tune in.
From June 11 to July 19, the World Cup will pit 48 national soccer (or, if you’re in the U.S., “soccer”) teams against each other in 104 matches to be played in Mexico, Canada and the U.S.
In each of the host city regions, in all three countries, a program called Play collectively will provide funding and support to community sports organizations, creating safe spaces for underserved youth.
The project is a joint initiative of the Adidas Foundation, the Beyond Sport Foundation and Common Goal, a global non-profit organization that has created a global network of community organizations serving 3.6 million young people each year.
Make space for each other
Mary Connor (second left) and Nawal El Moutawakal speaking at UN Headquarters
Common Goal CEO Mary Connor was one of the key speakers at Building bridges, breaking barriersan event held to mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, celebrated each year on April 6 to highlight the transformative power of sport to drive social change, promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and bring together people and communities around the world.
Ms Connor drew parallels between football, where supporting teammates is critical to success, and the work of the United Nations, a place where, she said, “we come together despite differences, despite cultures that keep us isolated” and “give each other space to find a way forward, against many headwinds.”
Nawal El Moutawakel, pioneering Olympian
In two years, the United States will host another major sporting event, the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be based in Los Angeles.
Pioneering athlete Nawal El Moutawakel was one of the stars of the last Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. At the 1984 Games, she became the first Moroccan, African, Arab and Muslim woman to win an Olympic gold medal (in the 400-meter hurdles).
Her Olympic triumph is considered a turning point, giving Moroccan women confidence and courage to play sports, which were previously considered a male domain.
She has received numerous international honors for her contributions to sport and social progress and is currently Vice President of the International Olympic Committee.
Jumping over life’s obstacles
Speaking at Wednesday’s event, El Moutawakel compared his discipline to the struggles he faced early in his sporting career.
“My race was the 400 hurdles, a race where there is a start and a finish line, and in the middle there are 10 hurdles. And for me, they were the hurdles of life that teach you discipline, coordination, determination, passion. Sometimes you experience failures, but I never gave up.”
Today, she said, the fact that, for the first time in 100 years, the IOC president is a woman (Kirsty Coventry is also the first African to hold the position), and that women represent 50 percent of the organization at all levels, indicates the progress that is being made.
Ms El Moutawakel and Ms Connor were joined by several notable young athletes, who described the positive influence sport has had on their lives.
Among them was Ailyn López, who overcame mental health issues through soccer and is now a young leader of Street Child United, an organization that uses sport to support young people living on the streets or in extreme poverty.