In the context of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed a new humanitarian initiative with Qatar Charity and the International Center for Sports Security (ICSS) to promote peace and development through sport for the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Darfur, titled ‘Sport for Peace and Development’ through ICSS Save the Dream.
The agreement was signed in Al Jazeera Media Cafe, by Mr Misfer bin Hamad Al Shahwani, Executive Director of Development Projects at QFFD, Mr Mohamed Al Ghamdi, Executive Director of International Development at Qatar Charity, and Mr Massimiliano Montanari, Executive Director of Save the Dream at the International Center for Sports Security, in the presence of H.E. Khalifa Al Kuwari, QFFD’s Director-General, Mr Yusuf Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Charity and Mr Mohammed Hanzab, Chairman of the International Centre for Sport Security and Founder of Save the Dream. in the presence of H.E. Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al-Thani, the Special Envoy of the Arab League Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
The signing ceremony was also attended by H.E. Fatharahman Ali Omar, Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan in Qatar, Mr Hani Taleb Blan, CEO of Qatar Stars League, Mr Ali Salem Afifa, Deputy Director-General of Aspire Academy, Mr Hamad Lahdan al-Mohannadi, Director of Support Services Sector of Qatar Olympic Committee, and Mr Sami Mohammed Al Haj, Director of Al Jazeera Center for Human Rights.
H.E. Khalifa Al Kuwari, QFFD’s Director-General, praised this important initiative, saying: “This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts of the State of Qatar to bring peace to the world and to resolve conflicts. It contributes to the positive role played by the State of Qatar in achieving peace in Darfur through sport. This important initiative will benefit the young people in Darfur by relieving them from their daily challenges and difficulties, and giving them hope in a better future.”
He also expressed his admiration for this partnership, saying: “The partnership with Qatar Charity and the International Center for Sports Security will play a key role in changing the lives of these young people, as the initiative will reduce conflicts and contribute to peaceful coexistence.”
Mr Yusuf Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Charity stated: “Qatar Charity reaffirms its support for the promotion and protection of the core values of sport for youth at the global level to complement the efforts of the International Center for Sports Security, which plays an increasingly important role in safeguarding sport.
He added: “We firmly believe in the unifying power of sport and its positive impact on communities, especially those which are affected by war and displacement. Qatar Charity sees this collaboration as a stepping stone in promoting sport for peace and empowerment.”
Speaking of the Darfur project, Mr Mohammed Hanzab, Chairman of the International Centre for Sport Security and Founder of Save the Dream said:
“On this special occasion, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Charity and all the partners involved. Like sport, also sport for development is teamwork. Together, today we have taken a landmark step towards youth empowerment and promoting the core values of sport to bring a positive change for the lives of the Internally Displaced People in Darfur.”
In line with Save the Dream’s priority to promote sport and its educational values for young people and children affected by conflict and crisis situations, the Sport for Peace and Development initiative, with the support of the Qatar Development Fund and Qatar Charity, will be launched in June 2018 for the IDPs in Darfur. The first round of activities will take place in El Fasher in North Darfur, which will train 50 young people to take the lead of sport for development programs in the IDP camps. They will then train 20,000 children and youth through various social and sports programs.
The initiative will be implemented with the participation of key partners such as Qatar Football Association, Aspire Academy, Qatar Stars League and Al Jazeera Center for Human Rights.
The project will also see the participation of international partners such as Mission 89 and influential sports celebrities such as the Cameroonian international player Roger Milla, and the famous Kenyan long-distance runner Tegla Loroupe.
The “Save the Dream” initiative, launched by the International Center for Sport Security (ICSS) in 2012, with the support of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), is a global non-profit movement for organizations, individuals and athletes who strongly believe in sports to build more justice and inclusive societies values and protection for young people and future generations.
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