Commonwealth Games opportune time to promote democracy, development, and diversity

On the first of a four-day official visit to India, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said he hoped to find new ways in which the Commonwealth Games – which will kick-off in just over half a year – “can be ever more attuned to the real needs of a far wider group of people than the top athletes who represent their nations.”

In doing so the Commonwealth would represent its “real constituency,” which is the hundreds of millions “who are denied the benefits and transformative power of sport.”

Mr Sharma commended the Commonwealth Games Federation for initiatives it has already taken in this direction, notably in introducing the Commonwealth Youth Games, launched in 2000, which is “a powerful example of supporting youth development through sport.”

‘Sport-for-all’

He then outlined three ways in which the Commonwealth Games can contribute to the realisation of ‘sport for all’ and ‘sport for development’.

The first is through the role of the Sports Development Advisor, funded by the Games host government, based full time at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters. “That advisor is tasked with working with member governments on strengthening their capacity to offer sport for development,” Mr Sharma explained.

The second way is for the host country of the Games to promote ‘sport for all’ in countries beyond its borders at the grass-root level.

“There is good and strong precedent, in that the last three Games bids have earmarked funds for each other Commonwealth country, to train and support the teams of athletes which it brings to the Games,” he said.

“The challenge is to ask whether that goodwill can go considerably further than the top athletes, and bring sport to ordinary citizens in cities, towns and villages all over the Commonwealth.”

Call to arms

Mr Sharma concluded with a third suggestion, which was a call to arms for both Commonwealth organisations and member countries.

“If the Games are indeed the most recognisable brand of this 54-nation family, then we would be wise to use them to tell the biggest and widest possible story about what the Commonwealth is about,” he said.

“We should use them better, to tell our stories of democracy, and of development, and of diversity.”

Mr Sharma was speaking at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on the first of a two-day summit – an initiative of the South Asia Research Foundation and The Times of India – on the future of the Games.

A Commonwealth Games stamp sheet issued by Royal Mail, UK, was launched at the event.

India will host the nineteenth Games in New Delhi, from 3-14 October.

Key Links:

• Country Profile: India

Related News:

• Commonwealth Games Federation