Qatar Charity, ICSS sign partnership to strengthen sport values

Qatar Charity has announced the signing of a co-operation agreement with the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), under the framework of its Save a Dream initiative, to help strengthen and enhance the role of sport in empowering young people and encouraging social development and cohesion. Following a ceremony hosted at the Qatar Development Fund (QDF) headquarters, the agreement was signed by Qatar Charity CEO Yusuf bin Ahmed al-Kuwari and ICSS president Mohamed Hanzab. It will see the two organisations work together across a variety of activities and campaigns to promote sport values and to make a positive difference to lives of people and communities through sport.Speaking of the new agreement with the ICSS and Save the Dream, al-Kuwari said, “The agreement signed between Qatar Charity and the ICSS, under the framework of its Save the Dream programme, aims to make a significant contribution to the safety, security and integrity of sport, as well as strengthening the vital role that sport can play in fostering socio-economic development, peace and harmony. “As Qatar looks to host many safe and successful major sporting events in the future, Qatar Charity confirms its support to promote and protect the fundamental values of sport in young people around the world and work with the International Centre for Sport Security through its Save the Dream initiative to achieve this aim.“Save the Dream is already playing a key role in supporting young people through the power of sport and the ICSS is addressing many important issues in the field of sport at the moment, as well as the safety and security of major international sport events.”ICSS president Hanzab said, “On behalf of the ICSS, this new strategic partnership with the Qatar Charity unites two organisations with a shared vision about how sport can benefit society, as well as the important role it can play in uniting people and communities around the world.  “Qatar Charity has already made a significant impact in over 60 countries since it was established in 1992 and has changed the lives of many young people around the world through its work fighting poverty in communities and countries.  “As an organisation created to service and safeguard sport, the ICSS and our Save the Dream initiative believe in the positive role that sport can play in benefiting people and communities and its unique ability to reach out to all areas of society. We stand ready to work with Qatar Charity on the ground and make a positive difference to lives of young people through sport.”  Al-Kuwari also noted that Qatar Charity will contribute its various experiences and initiatives of using sport as a force for good for young people, which have been developed through its ongoing charitable work. As part of its role carrying out ongoing humanitarian and development programs to fight global poverty, QC currently oversees an ambassador programme which utilises sport within their international projects and includes regular visits to schools to talk about the benefits of sport to young people. Al-Kuwari added: “Qatar Charity will collaborate with the ICSS and Save the Dream to help empower young people and inspire communities through sport and towards a vision where society is free of corruption, violence and discrimination. Looking forward, we hope to expand this agreement to include wider horizons to serve our country, especially as people from around the world come to Qatar in 2022”.Hanzab concluded that sport is used by many as a powerful instrument to instil hope, particularly by people around the world who are forced to live in refugee camps, as well as highlighting how sport is used as bridge to help facilitate dialogue between people and communities affected by conflict, poverty and natural disaster.