Veteran Clubs World Championship Joins UN's Football for the Goals Initiative

The United Nations Department of Global Communications has accepted the Veteran Clubs World Championship (VCWC) as a member of the UN’s Football for the Goals (FFTG) initiative. The information was released in an official letter sent to the VCWC by Maher Nasser, Director, Outreach Division, on 22nd June 2023.

In the letter sent with a Certificate of Membership, Mr. Maher said that by joining FFTG, Veteran Clubs World Championship commits to advocating for the achievement of and implementing policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Our team looks forward to collaborating with and supporting Veteran Clubs World Championship as it becomes a champion for sustainable development and human rights and drives positive change within the football community and beyond”, he added.

“I think by using these stellar names, we have the ability to amplify a message that goes beyond some of the echo chambers that they tend to operate within by reaching out to the average person who may not understand SDGs as much as they need to, through a vehicle that speaks to their emotions and their minds,” said Francis Nkwain, Founder of Best of Africa.

Football for the Goals is a United Nations initiative that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is an opportunity to build on football’s powerful and influential reach and to work together to become agents of change by aligning messaging, strategies, and operations with the aspirations of the SDGs.

In an exclusive interview during the VCWC Business Club Cocktail, VCWC Chairman Fred Siewe said the football legends have a lot of potential to unlock partnerships for the goals.

“We are very happy to partner with the United Nations to disseminate the impactful messages of the Sustainable Development Goals. Football legends will not only be participating in the championships but also, they will contribute to various forums that speak to important ideas to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

Apart from group matches expected to kick start in May next year, the partnership of the United Nations and VCWC will see football legends, government institutions, and partners co-create various forums aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The forums include Peace Forum on 11 May 2024, Education Forum on 13 May 2024, Health Forum on 15 May 2024, Tourism Forum on 17 May 2024 and Business Forum on 18 May 2024. More information on the entire roadmap can be found online.

In December 2022, the United Nations Rwanda signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Veterans World Club Championship. The MoU is rooted in the UN resolutions 58/5 of 3 November 2003 and 59/10 of 27 October 2004, as well as 67/296 of 23 August 2013, promoting sport for education, health, development, and peace.

“The VCWC is bringing a group of 150 soccer veterans from around the world to Rwanda in May 2024 for a first-ever world sports veteran’s championship. The government of Rwanda supports this initiative and provides amazing opportunities for advocating for the SDGs and deepening the commitment of various stakeholders toward accelerating the implementation of the SDGs,” said Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator.

The Partnership of the United Nations Rwanda and VCWC is aligned with Rwanda’s ambition to capitalise on the transformative power of sports in promoting development and peace. It is a guiding framework for leveraging sports to foster sustainable development and peace-building initiatives.

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