During last weekend, eleven sports volunteers from the Norwegian Sports Peace Corps travelled  to Zambia, where in the next 10 months they will contribute their sports skills in schools, sports teams and local communities in southern Africa.

The Sports Peace Corps is an exchange program under the auspices of the Norwegian Sports Association (NIF). The initiative is part of the Norwegian sport’s international work and is based on the values ​​of sport: joy, fellowship, health and honesty.

Volunteers contribute their sports skills in schools, sports teams and communities in Zambia, Malawi or Botswana. The intention is to give children and adolescents in southern Africa equal opportunities and access to physical activity.

Since 1997, nearly 300 Norwegian sports youngsters have participated in the sports program Sports Peace Corps.

“Being among the eleven volunteers is a privilege. At the same time, I think I have quite a lot of responsibility when I represent Norwegian sports internationally – and that what we are going to do is really important” – said one of them, Kristina Antal (25) from Oslo, who is looking forward to experiencing something new, getting to know a new culture and new people. The 25-year-old will contribute his sports experience from sports such as Capoeira, Swimming in partner organization in Livingstone, Zambia.

The sporting exchange involves social gathering, sporting fellowship and new acquaintances across cultures.

“Sport at its best is a unique instrument for building bridges between people and cultures. This amazing team of eleven knows we have a lot to contribute with our partners in the South” says the coordinator of the Sports Corps, Ketil Husøy.

More at  Norwegian NOC:www.idrettsforbundet.no/