New York , 29 August – In a historic decision, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly approved by consensus a proclamation establishing an International Day of Sport for Development and Peace – informs the IOC in its website, relating the event which took place in New York last 23rd August .

The Day will be celebrated each year on 6 April, the date of the opening of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, by UN member states and other stakeholders. In this context, the General Assembly recalled the IOC’s role in promoting healthy lifestyles and creating access to sport for as many people as possible – issued the IOC in its Internet pages.

As per the UN website, they wrote on the event: “The IOC President, Dr. Jacques Rogge, was in New York to witness the adoption. In the informal segment following the Assembly’s plenary session, he said: “We have seen the true worth of sport and physical activity many times. It builds self-confidence; it defies gender stereotypes; it provides an alternative to conflict and delinquency; it improves health; it can bring hope and a sense of purpose to refugees, impoverished communities and other people in need,” and added that sport had played an invaluable role in the global effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and combat non-communicable diseases.

“Sport can be a powerful handmaiden for peace and reconciliation. It can bring us closer through shared celebration of achievements of universal appeal and attraction,” said General Assembly President Vuk Jeremic (center of the photo) adding that ethnic, religious and economic divisions fall by the wayside, along with prejudice, fear and misunderstanding.

Also present was Mr. Novak Djokovic, who is ranked the world’s number one tennis player and a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Speaking as a member of the world’s athletic community he said that he hoped the International Day would motivate people to do more to cultivate intrinsic sporting values such as fair play, teamwork and respect for opponents. “These ideals are universal. Every successful society is built on them, and the more we instill respect for these ideals in ourselves, the better the world will be that we leave to our successors,” he said.