Lisbon: Nawal El Moutawakel Calls for Investment in Safe, Inclusive, and Transformative Sports

“Making sport a true right for all is a step toward a fairer, more united, and sustainable future,” said El Moutawakel during the award ceremony of the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe, granted to the initiative supporting refugee participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This initiative is led by the IOC, the Olympic Refuge Foundation, and the International Paralympic Committee.

“Many people, if given the opportunity, can succeed and thrive through sport,” she stated, highlighting sport’s role as an effective tool for integrating refugees into host societies and as a powerful platform offering visibility, dignity, and a voice to millions of displaced people around the world.

El Moutawakel, who received the award from the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, emphasized that “the power of sport as a means of protection and inclusion has long been recognized.” She noted the growing willingness to make sport a strategic component of public policies and crisis response efforts.

She recalled that the world is facing interconnected crises, including climate change, social and economic inequality, health emergencies, prolonged conflicts, and mass displacement, which require effective and inclusive solutions with tangible impact. According to her, sport can reach a wide audience, especially children, youth, women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and displaced communities.

El Moutawakel stressed that since cities host the majority of refugees, local authorities have a key responsibility to create inclusion opportunities, particularly for displaced youth facing unemployment, discrimination, isolation, and mental health challenges. Sport, she added, provides a safe space that fosters connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

The ceremony also honored Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Leila Marques, Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee, and athletes Cindy Ngamba and Zakia Khudadadi, the first medalists of the Olympic and Paralympic refugee teams.

On this occasion, Moratinos expressed deep gratitude, stating that “true peace is not achieved solely through treaties, but through the daily practice of dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect.” He described the award as a symbol of shared responsibility to strengthen human ties beyond borders.

He added that this recognition was not only personal but also represented “all the colleagues, partners, youth, and community and religious leaders” who supported his commitment to fostering understanding among cultures and civilizations.

Moratinos said the prize serves as a call to continue building a united humanity and to make diversity a source of peace, reinforcing his personal resolve to pursue dialogue and work toward a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future.

For her part, Leila Marques emphasized that commitment to refugee athletes has grown since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. “Every person with a disability should have the right and opportunity to practice sport. In Paris, eight athletes and one guide took part, and their achievements will forever be remembered,” she said.

In a moving speech, Zakia Khudadadi shared that she never stopped practicing sport, even during moments of despair. “Sport means freedom and dignity, peace and equality. In Paris, when I received my medal, it was a symbolic moment for all Afghan women and for refugees around the world,” she said.

Cindy Ngamba, who won the first medal for the Olympic refugee team, said she felt enormous pressure before competing in Paris because she represented “millions of displaced, marginalized, and discriminated people.”

Previous recipients of the North-South Prize include former Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, Queen Rania of Jordan, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Boris Tadić, Mary Robinson, Kofi Annan, and Suzanne Jabbour.

Editorial team/le7tv