See All Sites

What Is The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation?

Nov 30, 2011 | Filed Under: General NewsThe Player Foundation   Share

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” Nelson Mandela, Laureus World Sports Awards, Monaco 2000.

Maybe you have seen Nelson Mandela’s words before, but what do those words mean to a group of sporting legends and why do they devote so much time and effort to supporting the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation?  Simply, because it is one of the most effective and important charitable organizations in the world that has literally helped change the lives of tens of thousands of children. 

Founded in 2000 by Daimler Benz and Richemont, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation celebrates the universal power of sport to bring people together as a force for good and uses the passion that sport inspires to effect social change across the globe.  It supports programs that help young people overcome the limitations imposed by social issues including poverty, homelessness, war, violence, drug abuse, discrimination and AIDS. 

“Children cannot choose their parents, nor can they control the environment into which they are born.  If we can give these kids a chance at a better life then we have truly done a good thing,” said Laureus Academy Founding Member Gary Player.

Today the Laureus Global Foundation is supported by its Global Partners Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen and Vodafone and a growing network of subsidiary National Foundations in Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.

Edwin Moses, the Foundation’s Chairman, summed up Laureus’ mission with the following words: “As long as there are people on the ground who are inspired enough to give up their time to set up these projects, you’ll find Laureus there to support them… These are men and women who achieved what they did in sport because they never gave up. That energy and drive now goes into Laureus, and the beneficiaries are underprivileged youngsters around the world.”

You can learn more about the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation here.

« Back