Most popular sport now has a day dedicated to it – UN declares May 25 to be celebrated as World Football Day
- The UN General Assembly’s resolution encourages all countries to support sports to promote peace, development and the empowerment of women and girls
- Resolution marks 100 years since the first global series took place on May 25, 1924 during the summer Olympic Games in Paris
UN General Assembly declares May 25 as World Football Day. Photo: ReutersThis year will be 100 years since the first international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions. To mark this occasion, the United Nations has given fans of the sport a day dedicated to celebrate it – May 25.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution earlier this week proclaiming May 25 as World Football Day.
The first global series took place on May 25, 1924 during the summer Olympic Games held in Paris, according to the resolution.
The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution by consensus with a bang of the gavel by its president, Dennis Francis, to applause from diplomats in the assembly chamber. It was co-sponsored by more than 160 countries.
Libya’s UN Ambassador Taher El-Sonni, who introduced the resolution, told the assembly, “Football or soccer as others call it is the number one game played and followed around the globe.”
But he stressed that football is more than just a game played by all ages on streets, in villages, schools and courtyards for fun and in competitions.
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Because of its “unparalleled position” in the world of sports, El-Sonni said, “football serves as a universal language spoken across the globe, cutting across national, cultural and socio-economic barriers”.
He said the game has become “a pivotal platform” championing gender equality and social inclusion, “a common ground where individuals from varying backgrounds converge, promoting mutual understanding, tolerance, respect and solidarity”.
It also recognises “the fundamental role” of football’s international governing body, Fifa, and the important role of regional and national football federations, as well as relevant associations, in promoting the game.
The resolution encourages all countries to support football and other sports as a tool to promote peace, development and the empowerment of women and girls. And it also encourages countries to adopt policies and programmes to promote football and other sports and physical activities.
On May 25, the resolution “invites” all nations, UN bodies, international organisations, academia, civil society and the private sector to observe World Football Day in line with national priorities.