UNICEF and International Cricket Council launch ‘Power of Sports to Shape the Future of Adolescents’

International cricket superstar Yuvraj Singh and Under-19 cricket’s future stars came together in Sri Lanka yesterday to showcase the power of sports to shape the future of adolescents in South Asia. 

Singh was joined by under-19 cricket stars from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka who will compete at the International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand in January 2018. A panel discussion was followed by a friendly game of cricket between Singh, the Under-19 cricketers and youth attending the event.  

“There are 340 million adolescents in South Asia. When I see the energy, passion and determination of these young people, I feel so much hope. While the challenges in this region are vast, my hope is that their energy can be harnessed to create a better tomorrow for all adolescents in South Asia,” said Singh. 

The panel and friendly cricket game was jointly organised by UNICEF South Asia and the ICC. Focusing on the power of sports to transform lives and communities, the panel discussed issues such as the right of adolescents to play and the benefits that sports can provide to adolescents including improved self-esteem, health and the ability to build life skills. 

“Adolescence is a time of great opportunity and vulnerability. With investment and support, adolescents can reach their full potential. It is our priority to build a more peaceful, prosperous and equitable future for adolescents in South Asia. We will achieve this by supporting their access to spaces to speak up, and skills to successfully transition to adulthood,” said UNICEF South Asia Regional Director Jean Gough. 

She further added: “The values that define sports – teamwork, fairness, discipline, respect for the opponent and the rules of the game – are synonymous with the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup and are well understood all over the world. These values are not limited by language, culture or country. Our hope is to see these translate into real improvements for adolescents in South Asia in their education, health and wellbeing.”

“The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup gives young players an unrivalled experience of global events, a real flavour of international cricket at a senior level and a glimpse into what life as one of the world’s best is really like. But just as importantly it provides them with the opportunity to be involved in events like this and start to realise the potential they have to make a positive impact on the world through their sport,” said International Cricket Council Chief Executive Officer David Richardson. “Our partnership with UNICEF is an important one and the commitment the players have shown to being part of the panel is a wonderful demonstration of that.”

There are more adolescents in South Asia than anywhere else in the world. At the crossroads between childhood and adulthood, adolescents typically face many changes and uncertainties in their lives. Almost one in two girls in the region are married before the ages of 18 and one in five give birth before they reach 18. More than 20 million adolescents 10-14 years old are out of school. An overwhelming 45% of adolescents believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife for burning the meal she cooks for him. More than four in 10 adolescent girls are underweight. South Asian countries must invest in programs and policies to improve the lives of adolescents in all areas.