The use of sport to achieve development is sometimes under-estimated,  but it can be a unique, engaging and critical tool writes Carl Konadu, 21, a Correspondent from London, UK.  It confronts inequality and provides pathways of opportunity for young people. With young people’s innate ability to identify with sport and its many valuable outputs, the …

“Secretariat puts youth at the center of sport mission” Read More »

The Olympic Games create a legacy, according to event organizers, but do they encourage participation in sports? Alvin Ma, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Canada, argues that watching Olympic sports does not translate into mass participation at the amateur level. At a recent academic conference, I presented on Asian student experiences in my university’s kinesiology …

"Olympic legacy: we should all be able to participate" Read More »

Sport can unite people across ethnic and social divides and be a welcome respite for book-weary students, writes Oluwafemi Ogunjobi, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Gbongan in Nigeria as he describes a massive event hosted by his university. Especially in Nigeria, a country with a diverse religion and ethnic set up, sport is regarded as …

"Student competitors are unified through sports" Read More »

On 21 July 2014, Sports Ministers from across the 53-nation Commonwealth community meet in Glasgow, immediately prior to the Commonwealth Games. We, the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group (CYSDP) will be presenting to the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting on the powerful role that youth leadership plays in Sport for Development and …

Get your voice heard at the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting Read More »

Commonwealth Sports Ministers should consider how to encourage young people to become more involved in sport to improve their self-worth and confidence, while also enhancing their health and academic success, writes Olivia Hart, 16, a Correspondent from London, United Kingdom. Sports Ministers across the Commonwealth will come together for a meeting on the 21st July two days before …

"This is what I believe Sports Ministers should be tackling" Read More »

During a visit to China Alvin Ma, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Canada, explored some of the political and tourist stereotypes that dominate western concepts about the country. What he found was a pleasant surprise. “Yīnwèi wǒ láizì jiānádà, wǒ de pǔtōnghuà bù hǎo, wǒ huì shuō​​zhǐyǒu yīngwén, duìbùqǐ.” I scribbled the above romanized Chinese words …

"Understanding China’s pleasant surprises" Read More »

The value of major sporting events should be measured in the sense of togetherness and inclusion they create, writes Carl Konadu, coordinator of the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace working group, a network supported by the Commonwealth Youth Programme. The XX Commonwealth Games 2014 took place in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23rd through …

"Sport can be harnessed to bring people together" Read More »

Disappointed with Africa’s results in World Cup 2014, Alphonse Akouyu, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bamenda in Cameroon, suggests tapping the continent’s wealth of street football players to train the sport stars and managers of the future. The dismal performance of some African teams at World Cup 2014 has made football stakeholders begin pondering about developing …

"The untapped resource of African football" Read More »

Sport can be a powerful means of promoting development, but Malcolm McEachern, 22, a Correspondent from Halifax, Canada, now living in the UK, argues that without adequate funding and rules the programs can fall short of their goals. The recent success of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, highlights that sport is truly an international …

"Sport for Development and Peace gets a yellow card" Read More »

International sporting events showcase athletes, but they can also promote youth engagement and physical activity at the local level writes Carl Konadu, coordinator of the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace working group, a network supported by the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Sport in itself has become a major facet of modern society; almost everyone …

"Impact of major sporting events on young people" Read More »