To mark Mandela Day, Laureus Sport for Good is celebrating the inspirational legacy of its first Patron, sharing the results of its 2021 Annual Review which catalogues Laureus’ impact around the world, using sport to change lives
Nelson Mandela International Day was launched in 2009 in recognition of the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s birthday.
The day is rooted in a call made by ‘Madiba’ the previous year to honour him through improving life within communities using sustainable interventions rather than celebrating his birthday.
Mandela, who led the transition from apartheid to multi-racial democracy in South Africa, declared that the power of sport was not to be underestimated at the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000. He summed up the driving force behind Laureus in just eight words: “Sport has the power to change the world.”
He continued: “It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.”
Laureus is celebrating Mandela’s legacy through an Annual Review of the previous year’s programming, along with a renewed pledge to live by the values of its founding patron. Last year, despite the ongoing challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Foundation has tracked its direct positive impact on more than 250,000 young people through its programmes and initiatives in 50 countries and territories around the world
Sean Fitzpatrick, Chairman of Laureus Sport for Good said: “On Mandela Day, Laureus remembers those powerful words spoken by our founding patron. He spoke about sport creating hope where once there was only despair and its potential to wield more influence than governments for breaking down racial barriers and discrimination."
“I believe President Mandela would be delighted with what we have achieved, not only in 2021 but across the past two decades. I know my colleagues in the Laureus World Sports Academy, the group of legendary sportsmen and sportswomen devoted to our work, are equally delighted. Thanks to the hard work and support of our many partners, we are able to continue having this impact, changing these lives and proving that sport has the power to change the world.”
Laureus mirrors its founding patron’s commitment to tackle racism and discrimination using sport. Laureus USA’s Elevating Black Leaders in Sport (EBLS) initiative was born out of the pandemic and recognises that philanthropic funding often fails to reach black-led community-based organisations. EBLS is designed to support grassroots, non-profit sports organisations who provide programming for youth from underserved communities.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka led the Play Academy initiative in partnership with Laureus and Nike. The programme is aimed at changing girls’ lives through play and sport. In 2021, the programme expanded beyond Japan for the first time with a round of investments in Haiti and Los Angeles. The Academy seeks to empower girls through experiences that encourage them to look beyond stereotypes by increasing their participation in sport.
Chief Executive of Laureus Sport for Good Adam Fraser said the Review was a chance to show gratitude to partners, organisations and individuals who had contributed to programmes that used the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage.
He explained: “Mandela still inspires us to tackle inequality by creating sustainable change. We are aware of how long a road lies ahead of us as we seek to fulfil that mission. Part of our role is anticipating and then adapting to meet the needs of children and young people as challenges arise. The global Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone across the globe as well as creating economic instability.
“During 2021, our ground partners ensured 72,878 children and young people became less socially isolated; 36,333 improved their attendance, engagement, and retention in education; 45,979 accessed opportunities for work experience or internships or accessed training and employment. Ensuring 257,374 children and young people had access to a safe and inclusive space was perhaps our most critical metric of all.”
Following the Laureus Sport for Good Response Fund, created in 2020 to support programmes through the Covid-19 pandemic, Laureus launched new fund providing a rapid response within areas struck by natural and man-made disasters, the Sport for Peace and Humanitarian Action Fund. This came after a long legacy of Laureus programmes being called to assist in positions of natural and man-made disasters – in 2021 including New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and following a devastating earthquake in Haiti.
Partners also helped refugees displaced from Afghanistan following the Taliban retaking Kabul. The experience and learnings gained from assisting in the aftermath of these humanitarian crises were also put to use this year in Europe, helping refugees displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Laureus Academy Member, Trustee and IOC Executive Board Member, Nawal El Moutawakel, reflected on Sport for Good, noting that: “The world is becoming a more complex place and, for many people, a harder one. Doors are closing that once seemed like they had been opened forever.
Barriers and conflicts between different groups and demographics have re-emerged. And yet my faith in President Mandela's vision, and in the power of sport to overcome those challenges, remains unbroken. Sport has the power to change the world. Be part of that with us.”