What Is Sport For Development?
“Some of the children
used to smoke drugs
and wander around all
day long. Now
because of our
connection with them
through sport, we are
able to bring them
back. They are in
school now, but even
better than that, they
are encouraging the
other children to get
an education. They
have become the role
models.”
Charles
Nkazamyampi,
Right to Play
Leader,
Kigali, Rwanda
Sport for Development refers to the use of sport as a tool to improve people’s
lives and enlarge people’s choices. The concept grew from the conviction that
well-designed, sport-based initiatives can be powerful, practical and cost
effective in achieving development goals.
Sport for Development initiatives regard sport as valuable in itself, and typically
include sporting aims like these:



expanded opportunities for participation in sport
the development of skilled players
the development of sports programs and Coaches
However, Sport for Development also goes beyond sporting aims to pursue other
life-enriching objectives, such as:





the holistic development of children
improved opportunities for women and persons with disabilities
improved education
improved health
increased community capacity
WHAT DOES “SPORT” INCLUDE?
Sport for Development expands the notion of sport to include a very broad range
of physical activities. Sport includes:




structured and unstructured play and recreational activities 1
physical education and exercise
casual, organized and competitive sport
indigenous (native to a particular place) sports or games
WHAT DOES “DEVELOPMENT” INCLUDE?
Development means enlarging people’s choices and changing their lives for the
better. It refers to improvements in the lives of individuals and their relationships
with others. It also refers to improvements in the lives of communities and
nations and their relationships with others.
The chart, pages 7-8, outlines some positive goals that are included in the term
development.
WHY IS SPORT SUCH A PROMISING TOOL FOR DEVELOPMENT?
As a tool for development sport is so promising because it is:

Appealing. It is enjoyable, participatory and engaging.
Sport for development is a term used internationally. Right To Play prefers the term “sport and play for
development” because it deemphasizes competitive sport. Also, many of the children in our programs are ages
6 and under. For them, competitive sport is developmentally inappropriate.
1
June 2011
www.righttoplay.ca


Universal. It can be a unifying force bridging barriers among people.

Cost effective.
Flexible. It can be used to teach and learn, to initiate and promote, to
bring people together and to mobilize them.
As with any powerful tool, sport must be used purposefully and skilfully to
achieve the desired end. To be effective, Sport for Development initiatives must
be built on the key values of sport: teamwork, inclusiveness and fair play. And
they must be implemented by deeply committed, well-trained Coaches and
Leaders.
Right To Play Ambassadors and participants in China
June 2011
www.righttoplay.ca
What Sport for Development Can Include
Sport is a flexible tool that can be used to teach and learn knowledge and skills, develop positive attitudes and
values and promote positive behaviours. As the chart below indicates, Sport for Development can produce a
wide range of positive outcomes at the individual, community, national and international levels.
Level
individual and
Area of
Development
Sport can help in the achievement of positive outcomes like these:
intellectual




knowledge
concentration
confidence
motivation
 self-expression
 goal setting
 problem solving
physical




strength
speed
stamina
agility
 coordination
 fitness
 health
psychological
and emotional





optimism
hope
joy
enthusiasm
resilience



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self-respect
self-esteem
self-reliance
self-discipline
social

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
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
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communication
cooperation
teamwork
sharing
leadership
respect for others
empathy

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

acceptance of others
tolerance
inclusion
harmony
conflict resolution
participation
friendship
inter-personal
ethical and
moral
total health and
well-being
 fair play
 respect for rules
 honesty
 responsibility
 reliability
 increased knowledge of
health issues
 life-enhancing choices
 healthy lifestyles
 respect for the environment
 reduced stress and anxiety
June 2011
www.righttoplay.ca
What Sport for Development Can Include - continued
Level
community,
national
Area of
Development
Sport can help in the achievement of positive outcomes like these:
economic
standards




education
 improved access
 raised levels of quality and
achievement
health
 improved health education
 better health services and
care
 reduced infant mortality
 improved maternal health
 extended life expectancy
 disease prevention
 reduced incidence of diseases
such as HIV/AIDS, malaria,
diabetes and heart disease
 reduced incidence of disability
peace,
cooperation,
stability




human rights
 inclusion
 improved social integration of
women and persons with
disabilities
 gender equality
 empowerment of women
 protection of children,
overcoming barriers of
prejudice and stigma,
discrimination and segregation
 equitable participation in
education, employment,
politics and economic life
environmental
awareness
 raised awareness about the
need to preserve the
environment
 raised awareness about ways
to preserve the environment
and
international
greater capacity
reduced poverty and hunger
economic growth
higher levels of employment
communication
cooperation
harmony
unity: bridging of social,
cultural, religious, ethnic and
economic divides
June 2011
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


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increased income
reduced debt
self-reliance
partnerships and synergy
 reconciliation of former
enemies
 resolving conflicts peacefully
 peace building
 reduced crime and
lawlessness
 safer communities