4 April 2025 - Sport has always been more than just a game. Growing up in the Pacific region, I saw first-hand how athletes from our small, vibrant islands turned their passion for sport into opportunities to transform not only their lives but also their communities. 

A rugby player’s success wasn’t just a personal triumph—it inspired entire villages, boosted local economies and instilled a collective sense of pride. Today, the impact of sport resonates even louder, crossing gender boundaries, diversifying across disciplines and creating ripples of change globally.

But beyond the inspirational anecdotes, a deeper truth emerges: sport is a powerful tool for challenging systemic inequalities and promoting inclusion. It is an undertapped force capable of addressing some of the world’s most urgent issues—poverty, gender inequality and social exclusion.

Sport as an agent of change

According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, progress on almost three quarters of the indicators for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 (Achieve gender equality) is either stagnant or regressing. Gender discrimination not only hampers women's access to opportunities but also exacerbates violence and systemic inequality. Similarly, global income disparities persist, with almost 700 million people—8.5 per cent of the world’s population—living in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 a day. These are not isolated statistics; they reflect entrenched inequalities that perpetuate cycles of exclusion and conflict.

Sport, however, offers a pathway to break these cycles.

An inclusive approach to sport can create transformative opportunities for marginalized communities. The 2015 report of the Commonwealth Secretariat, “Sport for Development and Peace and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, underscores how structured programmes amplify opportunities for underrepresented populations. Female athletes who rise to prominence challenge patriarchal norms. Initiatives such as the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (2023–2028) in Fiji highlight sport as a critical avenue for addressing gender-based violence. By fostering teamwork, breaking stereotypes and providing platforms for empowerment, sport becomes a catalyst for societal change.

Source: Access the full story on UN Chronicle