Monaco, 28 April 2009 – Following Rafael Nadal’s fifth consecutive victory at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters Tournament, whilst in Monaco, the ATP’s no. 1 seed expressed his wholehearted support for the International Initiative Peace and Sport based in the Principality.
Peace and Sport promotes the practice of sport as an instrument for peace and social stability throughout the world, intervening in areas of post conflict, extreme poverty or lacking social cohesion, working to bring divided communities together and to unite all actors for peace and for sport.
The organization notably uses tennis, especially a form of tennis called ‘petit tennis’ as an instrument for education and social integration of children in the most disadvantaged parts of Israel-Palestine.
Attracted by their approach, Rafael Nadal recorded a video message bringing attention to this fact:
“I think that sport is peace and that, through practicing sport, you can be a better person. For this reason, I support 100% Peace and Sport”.
Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport said:
“When a top sporting name such as Rafael Nadal commits himself to saying that ‘Yes sport can and must contribute to peace in the world’ then the entire sports community is made aware of this message. It’s a very important gesture to raise awareness. Rafael is a role model for fierce determination and strong will: at the grassroots level, his words can motivate thousands of children to join a sports programme that could change their lives. We are extremely grateful to him for taking the time to find out about what we do and for using his fame to further this cause.”
