'Right to Peace' football tournament ends: German envoy vows to promote sports in fostering development, peace

Dr Cyrill Nunn, Ambassador of Germany said here on Thursday that "we shall continue to promote sports in fostering development and peace, respect for diversity and as an agent of social change at the grassroots and community levels in Pakistan."
He was addressing the winning team in 'Right to Peace' a four-day football tournament and educational event for street children held here on Thursday. The final day event was organised on February 19, and honoured by Dr Cyrill Nunn, Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan as chief guest. Dr Cyrill during his address to participants said, for us, supporting this event means, supporting children.
Dr Cyrill Nunn, Ambassador of Germany, congratulated the winning team and took note of their spirit of friendship and fair play in the football matches. "We shall continue to promote sports in fostering development and peace, respect for diversity and as an agent of social change at the grassroots and community levels," he stated. "I am extremely honoured to be part of this educational tournament." Germany made a valuable contribution by donating Rs 460000 for this project.
Kinza Kausar, 13 years old, was very excited to be on the winning team in 'Right to Peace' a four-day football tournament and educational event for street children. Kinza now hopes to bring positive changes to the lives of other street children with what she learned at the four-day event. The event was organised by Right To Play Pakistan in collaboration with United Nations Pakistan, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Mashal Model School.
"We recognise the importance of sports in children's development and as a tool to advocate for their right to peace," said Iqbal Jatoi, the Country Manager of Right To Play in Pakistan. Jatoi, while highlighting Right To Play's Junior Leaders Programme said, "Every child has leadership skills, its just how you polish them to be a leader. Right To Play believes in human dignity and considers sport and play can be the best tool to deliver the message of peace and tolerance."
Spectators included diplomats, Government and United Nations officials and civil society members, media representatives who were treated to an exciting match between children who rarely have opportunities to play. Drawing attention to children's right to play, as well their right to development and peace, the event also gave the children opportunities to learn about child labour, early marriage, gender equity, nutrition, child protection, education, peace and tolerance. The learning sessions were conducted on the side-lines of the football matches by professional trainers from Right to Play and officials from the United Nations, including ILO and UNFPA.
Encouraging girls to participate equally, 30 underprivileged 10-14-year-olds played in the tournament with each team getting an equal opportunity to play. The final match took place today at the Mashal Model School, followed by the awarding of the "Right to Peace" cup and a jumbo version of the Brazuka, the official football of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, donated by the Embassy of Brazil.
Vittorio Cammarota, Director of the United Nations Information Centre, said "It was amazing to see the excellent play and eagerness to learn that these children demonstrated throughout the tournament. It is unacceptable that children should have to live or work on the streets anywhere in the world." The tournament concluded with renewed commitments of partnerships to explore how sports can be empower Pakistani youth and how sport for development can be brought to the rest of the country.