How sport helps build peace, unity

DAR ES SALAAM: PEACE and sport are deeply interconnected, each strengthening the other in ways that shape communities and nations.

Sport thrives in environments where peace prevails, while also serving as a powerful tool for promoting unity, social cohesion and understanding among people. In every society, sport brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, creating a shared platform where competition coexists with respect, discipline and friendship.

Without peace, sporting activities cannot flourish; equally, through sport, societies can nurture harmony and mutual trust. Across the world, sporting activities have often acted as a bridge between divided communities and even nations with political differences.

From local community matches to global events such as the Olympic Games, sport creates moments where people stand together beyond their differences. It offers joy, hope and a sense of belonging, making it one of the most effective instruments for peacebuilding and national unity.

Filbert Bayi, one of Tanzania’s most celebrated sports figures and a respected voice in athletics, believes that peace and sport are inseparable. The former world record holder and long-serving sports leader says no country can successfully develop its sporting talent in the absence of peace and stability.

Speaking in an interview with the ‘Daily News’ about the relationship between sport and peace, Bayi emphasised that sport is not merely about games, but also a source of employment, social services, and brotherhood.

“Sport plays a very significant role in promoting peace and unity, not only here in Tanzania but across the world. When we talk about sport, we are not referring to games alone; sport provides employment, offers services and creates brotherhood among people,” Bayi said.

He noted that peace provides the environment necessary for athletes to train, compete and perform freely without fear.

“Where there is no peace, it becomes difficult for people to train and participate in sport. Athletes and their families live in fear because they do not know what might happen next,” he explained.

According to Bayi, Tanzania remains a strong example of how peace supports sports development, as athletes are able to train and compete in a stable environment. On the international stage, Bayi pointed to historical examples where sport helped ease tensions among nations.

“We have seen countries with political differences come together through sport. During the opening of major international games, nations that were once in conflict have walked together, showing that sport can reduce hostility,” he said.

He also reflected on historical moments when sport became a platform for standing against injustice, including the 1976 Olympic boycott by African nations in protest against apartheid-linked sporting relations.

“That was a direct message from African leaders that sport should stand for justice, equality and peace,” Bayi noted.

Bayi further stressed that conflict and war destroy not only human lives but also opportunities for sports development, tourism and national progress.

“Without peace, sport cannot take place. The joy that sport brings to children, women and communities disappears when there is war and violence,” he said.

Beyond its role as a recreational activity, sport remains one of the strongest social instruments for promoting peace, dialogue, and reconciliation. In many parts of the world, communities that have experienced division, violence, or political tension have often found common ground through sporting activities.

Bayi observed that whether it is football, athletics, netball, or community games, sport gives people an opportunity to meet in an atmosphere of respect and shared purpose.

According to Bayi, one of the key values of sport is its ability to unite people regardless of their social, political, or economic differences.

“When people come together through sport, they begin to build friendship and understanding. This helps to reduce hostility and strengthen unity in society,” he said.

He explained that sport creates an environment where people focus on teamwork, discipline and common goals rather than conflict. This spirit of cooperation can extend beyond the field of play and influence how communities interact in daily life.

Bayi further noted that peace is essential for sports development because athletes require freedom, security and confidence to train and compete.

“An athlete cannot perform well in an environment of fear. Peace gives players the freedom to focus on training and competition without worrying about the safety of their families and communities,” he said. He stressed that countries affected by war and civil unrest often struggle to sustain sports programmes because facilities are damaged, leagues are disrupted and young talent goes undeveloped.

“In places where there is conflict, sporting activities are often suspended. Young people lose opportunities and the country also loses talent that could have represented it internationally,” Bayi added. He also highlighted the economic contribution of sport, noting that peace allows countries to benefit from tourism, sponsorship, and employment linked to sporting events.

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“Sport also contributes to the economy. Major competitions attract visitors, create jobs, and help to promote the country internationally. However, all this depends on peace and stability,” he said.

Referring to global examples, Bayi said sports diplomacy has often played a role in softening relations between countries with long-standing differences.

“Sport has shown the world that even nations in conflict can come together. The image of athletes from rival countries walking side by side during international events sends a powerful message of peace,” he said.

He insisted that governments, sports bodies and communities should continue to invest in sport as a means of promoting peaceful coexistence, especially among young people.

“Young people learn discipline, respect, and teamwork through sport. These values help them grow into responsible citizens who contribute to peace in the nation,” Bayi noted.

As nations continue to use sport as a diplomatic and social tool, Bayi’s remarks underline a timeless truth: peace and sport go hand in hand. One creates space for the other and together they build stronger, happier and more united societies.

“Peace is the foundation of everything we strive to achieve as a nation and sport is one of the strongest tools we have to preserve and strengthen that peace. When people come together on the field, in stadiums and within communities, they learn the values of respect, discipline, teamwork and understanding,” he noted He highlighted that, these are the same values that build harmony in society. Without peace and tranquility, young people cannot train, families cannot support their children, and the nation cannot develop its talent.

Sport gives hope, creates friendship and removes barriers that divide people.

“Let’s maintain peace in our country because it teaches us that despite our differences in background, beliefs, or status, we all share a common purpose as one society. I strongly believe that if we continue to invest in peace, social cohesion, and unity through sport, we will build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Tanzania for future generations,” said Filbert Bayi.