By Prof Manuel Hassassian (Ambassador, the Palestinian Mission UK)

Developing sports into a universal language could carry connotations of peace, harmony, tolerance and the politics of human inclusion and achieve coexistence. Sports help bring human activity and talents together through activities and forums of inclusion, appreciation and respect. As a medium of peace, it enables us to work together, learn about each other and reach a plausible goal that fosters peace and harmony. Together, the combination of sports and peace can help parties across different political spectrums to.. Read More »

Today the Women's Sport & Fitness Foundation launch their report from the Institute of Youth Sport at Loughborough University. Of course it makes interesting reading and sadly reinforces a lot of what we already know about the drop off rates of girls in their school years. Depressingly it shows that just 12% - yes just 12% of 14 year old girls are reaching the recommended level of physical activity despite 74% of them saying they would like to do more.

Here at the Sports Think Tank we hope to support studies like.. Read More »

Regular readers of my blog at cowanglobal.com will know that I frequently return to the topic of strategy for the development sport and the ineptitude of consecutive governments on the subject.

However, as with all aspects of life there are also a number of apparently non sporting government decisions which will have a significant effect on grass roots sport and its ability to grow – or even stand still. As any half-way competent strategist will tell you 'cause and effect' should always be considered as 'big picture' considerations where, unfortunately.. Read More »

In the sporting world, we talk a lot about the specifics of what sport is for. Statistics and measurements are taken as they are in any industry and given much scrutiny. The list of what sport is for could go on a long time, including elements such as being for building community, getting fit, building character, employing people or tackling social problems. Quite clearly all of these things are good things and different parts of the sports world would tell you different things if you asked them the title question depending on their experience, current role etc.. Read More »

By Debbie Lye, International Development Director at UK Sport

Having been involved in the genesis of International Inspiration in 2007, it was a great moment when the announcement came that the programme has now reached 20 countries.

International Inspiration, London 2012's international legacy programme, has had an impact on the lives of 12 million children and young people, many of them from some of the world's most disadvantaged communities, and to know we achieved our goal by June last year. It is a proud achievement to have pulled off the "2012" double well.. Read More »

By Nick Raistrick

I recently took part in a panel discussion on the Winning over the Media at the Peace and Sport International Forum 2011 where I met people who believed that sport is a force for the good and that sports journalists have a duty to bring peace and promote good causes. And whilst I understand why people might think these things, I don't believe either to be true.

Before I talk about the role of media in terms of sport for development let me declare my interests: I worked for the BBC for nine years, I believe in a free.. Read More »

By James Emmett

It is very easy to scoff indignantly at the government'’s decision to increase funding for the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies by over 100 per cent. And when on the morning of 5th December David Cameron himself gave the go-ahead to raise the fireworks budget for London’s Olympics by £41 million, a nation did indeed sputter into its coffee. And with good reason. LOCOG, the organisers of the London Games, sensibly pledged in the immediate aftermath of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 that they would not attempt to compete with the scale, nor the cost, of their Chinese.. Read More »

By Linda Plowright

Some years ago – after already clocking up 20 years in management of mass community sports participation – I was rendered speechless by a new link officer from another national sporting body earnestly impressing upon me that what I needed to do was to "work in partnership with other sports bodies". Wasn't that rather an obvious piece of advice? Some 10 years later this moment has still left its mark and it is now impossible to go through a day without our Government agencies, funders and customers all exhorting the same 'best practice'. Now don't get me wrong. I'm all in.. Read More »

By Matt Kendall

So, 2012 won't get 2 million people more active – we gave up the target. Well why not? What a once in a lifetime opportunity the Olympics is, and here we are 7 and a half months from the opening ceremony and where's the plan? Maybe big events that make everyone sit up and take note don't work? So, when we see a British Handball, volleyball or fencing team compete in London this coming Summer, won't we be inspired, Wimbledon effect-style to have a go? My assertion is that 'of course we will' its just that we won't have anywhere to send those inspired people.. Read More »

At the Peace and Sport (www.peace-sport.org) Forum, I attended a session entitled 'Champions on and off the field'. My mind immediately turned to two sports, rugby and football, especially in the light of the past months and the debates which have ensued since the World Cup, and the seemingly perpetual headlines surrounding footballers from the Premier League, especially in the light of the recent super-injunction scandal in the UK.

A distinguished panel of elite athletes took the stage after an opening address from.. Read More »