Soccer fans now have a day to celebrate the world’s most popular sport — May 25
UNITED NATIONS — Football fans around the world now have a day every year to celebrate the world’s most popular sport: May 25.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Tuesday declaring May 25 as World Football Day. The sport is mentioned outside the United States.
The day marks the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions, which took place on May 25, 1924 during the Summer Olympics held in Paris, according to the resolution.
The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution by consensus with a blow of the gavel from its president, Dennis Francis, to applause from diplomats in the chamber. It was co-sponsored by more than 160 countries.
Libyan UN Ambassador Taher El-Sonni, who introduced the resolution, told the meeting: “Football or football as others call it is the most important game played and followed all over the world.”
But he emphasized that football is more than just a game played by all ages on the streets, in villages, in schools and in yards, for fun and competitively.
Because of its “unparalleled position” in the world of sports, El-Sonni says, “football serves as a universal language spoken around the world, transcending national, cultural and socio-economic barriers.”
He said the game has become “a crucial platform” championing gender equality and social inclusion, “a common ground where individuals from different backgrounds come together and promote mutual understanding, tolerance, respect and solidarity.”
The resolution recognizes “its global reach and impact in various areas, including trade, peace and diplomacy, and recognizes that football creates a space for cooperation.”
It also recognizes “the fundamental role” of football’s international governing body, FIFA, and the important role of regional and national football federations, as well as relevant associations, in promoting the game.
The resolution encourages all countries to support football and other sports as a tool to promote peace, development and the empowerment of women and girls. And it also encourages countries to adopt policies and programs to promote football and other sports and physical activities.
On 25 May, the resolution ‘invites’ all countries, UN bodies, international organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector to celebrate World Football Day in accordance with national priorities ‘and to promote the benefits of football for all dissemination, including through educational programs. and public awareness activities.”