Experts during the panel discussion on ‘How football can support development and create positive social change.’ PIC: Amr Diab
The Generation Amazing Foundation, a flagship FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 legacy initiative, continues to empower young leaders and create positive social change through football.
At different programmes by Generation Amazing Foundation, using the power of football, participants learn key life skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication, to address social issues in the places they live, according to experts at a panel discussion titled ‘How football can support development and create positive social change.’
“Football unites and empower young leaders,” said Qatar legacy Ambassador Ronald de Boer adding that the sport generates positive social development among the communities while speaking at the discussion organised by Generation Amazing Foundation at Host Country Media Centre, yesterday.
Emphasizing how football can create a positive impact on society, the former Dutch professional footballer said: “Football is the most popular sport in the world… football is spread all over the world, not just people who play but also people who want to see. So, there is a whole community if we can reach.”
He was joined by a coach at Generation Amazing Abeer Saad, coach and youth advocate at Generation Amazing Nour Loubani, and Assistant Executive Director of Clinical Service Development at Hamad Medical Corporation Katja Warwick-Smith and the discussion was moderated by Generation Amazing’s football development expert Michael Richardson.
Generation Amazing Foundation’s programmes include a series of football for development sessions designed to teach participants values and essential life skills like communication, teamwork and leadership.
“Football impacts positively on personality development,” said Nour Loubani adding that the one million beneficiaries of Generation Amazing Foundation from around the world learn the skills and being able to contribute to their communities.
The training sessions are conducted by specially trained coaches and advocates such as Loubani and ensure that participants gain improved life skills, values and knowledge to build and improve their communities.
The panel discussion also shed light on how the power of sport can create a positive social impact, and promote good physical and mental health.
According to Abeer Saad, who is a martial arts coach at Generation Amazing Foundation, the ability of sports to shape their lives for the better should not be underestimated. She said that martial arts can help youth, footballers in particular to have self-control. She said that having frequent martial arts sessions can make a “big difference” to footballers.
While Katja Warwick highlighted sports, particularly football can contribute a lot to psychological, emotional and social well-being. She said: “There are loads of different ways,” football can play a role in mental wellbeing of people.
