The Power of Sport, Together Towards the Finish Line
Newsletter November 2025
Welcome to the November update of Sport for Development.
As we approach the end of this long-standing partnership, we reflect on the power of sport. In this second-to-last edition, all alliance partners share their perspective on how sport has driven meaningful change within their communities.
Next month, we move toward the final edition of the newsletter, celebrating 20 years of Sport for Development. As we close this powerful chapter, we do not see an end, but a transition. The network, knowledge and local capacity built through SfD will continue to live on in the programmes and partnerships that remain active worldwide.
We are deeply grateful for the trust, collaboration and shared vision over the past years.
One we wrote together.
PARTNER PERSPECTIVES
KNVB WorldCoaches
“When they are on the field, they feel free." – female WorldCoach, Kalobeyei Integrated Refugee Settlement.
For us, the power of sport becomes especially visible when we look at its impact on girls. In many communities, girls have few safe spaces where they can express themselves freely. On the pitch, that space suddenly exists. During our courses, we see them grow in confidence, dare to take the lead, and support each other. A simple training session can become a moment of freedom and self-belief.
WorldCoaches play a crucial role in this by creating an environment where girls feel safe,seen, and encouraged to develop, both as players and as individuals.
Right To Play
“The life skills I learned, teamwork, communication, problem-solving and resilience, have played an important role. They helped me become a better coach, and also enabled me to face the challenges of the pandemic and the economic crisis in Lebanon.” — Bilal, Coach at Right To Play
As Right To Play, we harness the power of sport and play to help children worldwide rise above adversity. Play belongs to every child, It makes them strong and resilient, especially in the most challenging environments. Through sport and play, children develop essential life skills that shape their future, skills that help them grow, stay physically and mentally healthy, and perform better in school.
KNHB
"Seeing the children become more expressive and confident, knowing we are helping them build a better future, is incredibly rewarding." - Vineet Lakra, grassroots hockey Khunti, India
Hockey is more than just a game. It is a powerful tool for supporting underprivileged children and young adults. Through our programmes, we train local coaches and ensure they can provide weekly hockey sessions for boys and girls within their own communities. These programmes not only create safe and active spaces, but also open doors to scholarships and employment. Either as coaches or through sports quotas in government institutions. Together, we make a difference through the power of sport!
International Sports Alliance (ISA)
“Sport gave me back my voice. On the field, I was not a displaced girl anymore, I was a leader.” — Aïssata, 17, participant in ISA programme, Bamako, Mali
For ISA, Sport for Development has never been just about sport. It has been about dignity, opportunity and local leadership. Through this partnership, we have been able to strengthen community-based organisations across West and East Africa and the MENA region, supporting them to use sport as a tool for mental wellbeing, social cohesion and youth entrepreneurship.
What we value most in this programme is the long-term investment in people: in young leaders, coaches and local organisations who now continue this work independently in their own communities. Especially in fragile and shifting contexts, sport has proven to be a powerful, low-threshold entry point to build trust, restore hope and create space for dialogue.
As we move towards the closing of this powerful chapter, we do not see an end, but a transition. The network, knowledge and local capacity built through Sport for Development will continue to live on in our programmes and partnerships. We remain deeply grateful for the trust, collaboration and shared vision over the past years.
