Sports

Tbilisi, Georgia -  UPF-Georgia conducted trainings on “Stop Racism – Take Action” and an Interracial Soccer Tournament in partnership with African Union, sponsored by United Nations office. The programs were organized to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21, and to facilitate the reduction of racism through education and dialogue.

Moscow, Russia - The winter Play Football for Peace tournament took place on the open ground in the yard of House 61 on Lyublinskaya Street in Moscow on February 2. This municipal playground is well-known in the district, being a favorite place of local enthusiasts who keep it in perfect order even during the unstable winter weather.

Chisinau, Moldova - Christian, Muslim, and Unificationist youth played volleyball together in Chisinau on February 1, marking the start of World Interfaith Harmony Week in the Republic of Moldova. All participants enjoyed the sports and felt the power of unity playing in mixed teams. The happy faces gave organizers confidence that this will not be just one event but more joint activities will follow as a proof that youth of faith have more things in common than differences.

Moscow, Russia - A friendly autumn football tournament marking the Day of the District of Lyublino and the upcoming National Day of People's Unity took place on a football field in Stavropolskaya Street on November 3. The Play Football Make Peace festival was organized jointly by Stardvor, UPF, and the Lyublino district of Moscow.

Moscow, Russia - For those who like to stretch their legs a bit and cross new horizons with like-minded people, there will be an international Supermarathon Run for Peace, Cooperation, and Friendship from Moscow to Paris next summer. The July 14-August 2 relay race is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the first Paris-Moscow run, a distance of some 3100 kilometers.

New Delhi, India - To mark the UN International Day of Peace 2012 and the UN Sport for Development and Peace program, UPF-India joined hands with the United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan and St. Stephens College to organize an Intercollegiate Peace Football Tournament under the theme “Play Soccer, Make Peace” from October 10-12 at the football field of St. Stephens College, North Campus, University of Delhi. Eight teams from eight different colleges under Delhi University took part in the tournament.

Moscow, Russia - The track-and-field relay race dedicated to the100th anniversary of all track-and-field competitions of Russia and initiated by the International Super-Marathon Association was completed on August 3. Among the participants were athletes from the Ukraine as well as the Moscow region, St. Petersburg, and Novgorod, Russia.

Lake Seliger, Russia - UPF's Play Football for Peace organizers were awarded a grant from Russia's National Prospects Foundation and met President Vladimir Putin during the annual Seliger Forum August 1 and 2.

Parnu, Estonia - The tenth International Youth Football Tournament, June 28 – July 1, drew a great number of sports teams from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Ukraine, and Belarus to compete and make new friends under the theme "Play Football for Peace."

Monza, Italy - Many say that peace can be reached through sports. The world-famous Pelè himself said he has experienced how football can stop conflict at least temporarily, and this was exactly what UPF-Monza had in mind. On June 24, the final matches of the UPF Monza’s Trophy of Peace were held. It was the final day of a nearly three-month football tournament, organized by Carlo Chierico, the Monza UPF president.

Moscow, Russia - Starting at the "zero” kilometer in Red Square in Moscow, the track-and-field super-marathon for youth entitled “Children against Drugs – I Choose Sports!” was launched on June 11. By the time the race ends on June 23 in Minsk, Belarus, it is hoped that participants will be planning more ways to create a culture of peace by means of sports.

Artyomovsk, Russia - A friendly football match on the theme “Play Football Make Peace” was initiated by UPF-Urals in Artyomovsk, Sverdlovsk region on June 10. Among the participants were teenagers of three teams: the sports club “Patriot” from Artyomovsk; the field sports club “Olympus” from Mostovskoye village; and a team from Pokrovskoye village.

Yekaterinburg, Russia - A city amateur half-marathon on the theme “I choose life” took place in Yekaterinburg on May 27. It was organized and carried out by Young Ambassadors for Peace Ralif Galiyev, Tatyana Turchaninova, and Evgeny Skvortsov. There were 48 runners and about 80 participants.

Kiev, Ukraine - An International Day of Families program took place in the children’s home “Malyatko” in Kiev on May 19 by the efforts of UPF volunteers. Fifteen children participated, along with their teachers and six UPF volunteers.

Monza, Italy - Now in its seventh year, the Peace Trophy football tournament opened on April 29 and will continue with matches every Sunday afternoon until June 24. With teams representing the various cultures and backgrounds of the people in northern Italy, the competition encourages good sportsmanship, friendship, and mutual respect.