Wilfried Lemke (left), Under-Secretary-General for United Nations Organisation on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) speaking during the inaugural ceremony of the United Nations (UN) Youth Leadership Camp which began at Aspire Academy yesterday. The Camp will end on January 24. Also seen are Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Instructor, Sherif El Shemerly (right) and FIVB Hero and captain of Great Britain’s women’s national volleyball team captain Beattie. PICTURE BY: Qassim Rahmatullah
Doha: A United Nations (UN) Youth Leadership Camp which seeks to bring about a change in society using sport as tool kicked off at Aspire Academy here yesterday.
The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and FIVB Heroes are partners in the programme which targets youth leaders in sports.
The governing body for volleyball is a key partner in the Camp which runs until January 24.
The 11-day Camp is organised by the United Nations Organisation on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) and is hosted by Right to Play and the Aspire Dome.
The programme, which is into its fourth year, provides an opportunity to bring together 35 youth aged 18-25 from Africa and the Middle East who are actively involved in sport.
As part of a global partnership with the United Nations (UN) signed in late 2011, the FIVB, with the support of FIVB Hero Lynne Beattie, opened the camp yesterday
The camp will focus on volleyball fundamentals and workshops besides community development and peace.
FIVB Instructor, Sherif El Shemerly will facilitate the sessions, both theoretical and practical, to help equip these youth leaders with the knowledge and skills needed for them to initiate grass roots programmes in their home countries.
Thirty youth leaders aged 18 to 25 have been selected by the UNOSDP to participate in the camp, including 18-year old, FIVB-nominated Ahmed Sameh Ahmed Zaki from Egypt.
Ahmed has played volleyball since he was just three years old and is delighted to have the opportunity to take part.
“I’m so thrilled and excited, because I believe I can really learn some useful skills from the coaches and other participants that will benefit my community,” said Ahmed during the inaguaral ceremony. The FIVB Heroes Campaign plays a primary role in the UNOSDP Youth Leadership Camp, helping inspire a new generation of athletes and fans. FIVB Hero and captain of Great Britain’s women’s national volleyball team captain Beattie, reinforced FIVB’s commitment to the values of the UNOSDP Youth Leadership Camp.
“I think this is an absolutely fantastic initiative. Sport can be a very powerful thing to bring people and communities together. Sport serves the purpose of keeping people fit, but more importantly, it’s fun and can enhance one’s self-confidence and encourage positive relationships. But it needs people to drive it… people on the ground, in the heart of their communities. The young leaders participating in this camp have the potential to inspire an unbelievable number of people back home, bringing them together and positively impacting their community,” Beattie said.
The Peninsula
