The Syrian Future Movement commemorates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6th of each year, a day established by the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolution 67/296 of August 23, 2013.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms its pride in this occasion, which aligns with its firm belief in sport as a physical, psychological, and national necessity, and as an effective tool for building the individual and society, promoting the values of peace, tolerance, and teamwork, and rejecting divisive thinking and conflict.
On this day, the Syrian Future Movement reviews the state of Syrian sports more than a year after the significant changes the country witnessed on December 8, 2014. These changes included the establishment of a Ministry of Youth and Sports for the first time in the country’s history, and the restructuring of the Syrian Olympic Committee to become the leading sporting authority in the country.
Despite these positive steps, the sports sector still faces significant challenges, including the extensive destruction of sports infrastructure, a lack of strategic planning, continued unprofessional interference in the work of federations and clubs, and a severe financial crisis in which most clubs rely on limited government support due to the near-total absence of private investment.
In this context, the Syrian Future Movement commends the international efforts aimed at integrating sports into the recovery and peace process in Syria, most notably the “Sport for Peacebuilding in Syria: From Dialogue to Action” conference held in Amman. This conference, which brought together over 150 representatives from international bodies, Syrian civil society organizations, and youth leaders, resulted in the launch of the “Amman Declaration,” a practical roadmap for integrating sports into recovery and peacebuilding efforts, strengthening community resilience, and rebuilding the social fabric. The Syrian Future Movement also appreciates the official statements by the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, which confirmed that 2026 will witness the rehabilitation of many sports facilities in Syria.
The Syrian Future Movement bases its position on accurate statistics and reports demonstrating the enormous economic and social impact of investing in sports, which should motivate the Syrian government and the international community to increase support for this vital sector:
- Return on Investment in Sports: Recent research indicates that every dollar invested in effective sports policies and programs can generate a return for society ranging from $3 to $124, making sports a low-cost, high-impact tool for achieving sustainable development.
- The size of the global sports market: The global sports market is expected to grow from US$480 billion in 2023 to US$862 billion by 2033, representing a significant driver of economic growth and job creation from which Syria can benefit.
- Sports and Employment: Studies show that participating in sports or volunteering in sports activities is linked to higher employment rates and increased income levels.
- Sports and Social Inclusion: Sports have proven their ability to challenge harmful gender stereotypes, reduce antisocial behaviors, and promote social cohesion, particularly in vulnerable communities such as refugee communities.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes today the importance of capitalizing on this international momentum to achieve a qualitative leap in Syrian sports, based on the principles it previously announced in its statement published on its official website on May 8, 2024, entitled “The Syrian Future Movement and Sports.” This statement stressed the necessity of linking sports to its philosophical, ethical, and legal depth, and rejected the politicization of sports or its exploitation by any party or group at the expense of the nation.
The Syrian Future Movement recommends This includes the following:
- Accelerating the implementation of a comprehensive national plan to rehabilitate sports infrastructure in all governorates, with clear priorities and sufficient budgets allocated for the restoration of stadiums and sports halls damaged by the war, and ensuring access to sports in all areas without discrimination.
- Radically reforming sports administration by restructuring federations and clubs on professional and transparent foundations, and selecting qualified personnel with genuine expertise, free from favoritism and unprofessional interference that has sidelined competent individuals for years.
- Providing sustainable funding for sports by encouraging private investment and corporate sponsorship, amending laws governing privatization to attract capital, and establishing sports support funds based on diverse and sustainable funding sources.
- Integrating sports into psychosocial recovery programs for children and youth who have suffered the ravages of war, and leveraging successful international experiences in using sports as a tool for trauma management and promoting mental health, especially in the most affected areas.
- Strengthening international cooperation with international and regional sports organizations and donor agencies to implement sports projects that contribute to the reconstruction of Syria and its reintegration into the global sports arena, and benefiting from international expertise in Areas of developing human resources and transferring sports technology.
The Syrian Future Movement concludes its statement by emphasizing that sports are not a luxury or a mere formality, but rather a pressing national need for building the new Syrian individual capable of carrying the torch of the future.
Our investment in sports today is an investment in the health of our youth, in our national unity, and in our lasting peace.
From the devastated Syrian stadiums, we raise our voices high: Sports build, sports unite, and sports create peace.
