Sport has the power to bring peace – Moroccan rugby development officer

Sport has the power to bring peace says Moroccan

JOHANNESBURG, April 7 (ANA) – Moroccan rugby development officer Mostafa Jelti on Tuesday spoke of his high hopes for the power of sport and its ability to unite a nation.

Jelti who is Rugby Africa’s North African Regional Development Officer said: “Globally, sport has reached a stage of development that no other human activity can boast of. Its impact on societies gives it an incomparable mobilisation potential. This unifying power gives it the responsibility of putting itself at the service of peace.”

Jelti said the 1995 Rugby World Cup held in South Africa, just a year after democracy was achieved in the country was a shining example.

“The organisation of the third Rugby World Cup in South Africa which has contributed to bringing together the entire population of the country.”

The same was true for Libya, Jelti explained: “The participation of the Libyan National Rugby Team in the Arab Sevens Championship (February 2021) where the team was made up of the two “war” regions East and West.”

The values entrenched in rugby, can be applied to all parts of life said Jelti.

“The values of rugby are solidarity, integrity, respect, passion and discipline. These are ethical and moral benchmarks to which athletes and public opinion must refer; they guide people in their daily lives with a taste for effort and perseverance. It is also a philosophy that transcends all borders in sport, at school, at home and at work. If I had to classify these values, I would put respect first.” – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman