Messages come in from the Indian Prime Minister and the Indian cricket captain
Zurich, 18th September 2014 – For the first time, leading decision-makers from sports, politics, business, academics and NGOs converged in Zurich to define the role of sports in solving societal problems and to celebrate ethical sportsmanship at the World Summit for Ethics In Sports (WFES).
Addressing the gathering at the FIFA headquarters, Gurudev, Co-founder World Forum for Ethics in Business, said, “The tremendous energy of the youth of the world must be channelized through sports. If we replaced guns with a football or a cricket bat, this would be a step towards global peace. Engaging athletes in peace building initiatives and in community service gives a sense of higher purpose . Sportsmen having a higher cause will keep them out of depression when they are no longer playing.”
This unique platform witnessed renowned sports stars like Katarina Witt, Sven Hannawald, Alain Sutter and Brazilian multiple Olympic medalist Gustavo Borges.
Sending his message for the summit, the Indian Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi said, “ I hope that the summit will be successful in disseminating the importance of ethics to the participants and the world at large.”
The multi-stakeholder summit featured a mix of keynote addresses and breakout sessions to enrich participants’ overall knowledge and experience and propose a substantial agenda for action. Amongst the highlights of the summit was a panel discussion between leading sports personalities; a number of issue-based, action-oriented workshops invited for in-depth debates and analysis.
Sharing his views through a video message on this topic, the Indian Cricket Captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni said, “Sports is something that is universal. Sports persons are role models for youngsters and children. We need to keep up the spirit of the game. Play hard but play fair.”
Earlier, FIFA President Sepp Blatter welcomed the summit participants in the FIFA home of soccer. Speakers included Member of European Parlaiment, Jo Leinen, Hans-Joachim Eckert- Chairman of the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee, Michael J. Garcia - Chairman of the investigatory chamber of FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee, David Walsh - Award Winning Sports Journalist, Chief Sports Writer of The Sunday Times.
The World Summit on Ethics in Sports is an initiative of The World Forum for Ethics in Business, a foundation with the aim to pursue and establish the indispensable ethical foundations of business in a globalized world. The 2014 Summit at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich is the first conference of such kind.
www.ethicsinsports.ch, @WFEB_global