In the build up to the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 6 April, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco visited the Colombian city of Cartagena to support the activities of World Rugby partner Peace and Sport through attendance at events to promote the use of sport for peace and development, including a rugby sevens tournament.
In the presence of HSH Prince Albert, the Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Maria Angela Holguin and H.E. Bernard Fautrier as representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco signed a Memorandum of Understanding which designates Peace and Sport as implementation partner and which promotes the development of sports activities for social inclusion.
This signature ended a day rich in peace-through-sport activities bringing together more than 150 young Colombians on a ‘Sport Simple’ beach soccer and a rugby tournament, with the participation of Ivory Coast international and former Chelsea player Didier Drogba, Champion for Peace.
The rugby element to the visit involved four teams from the region where the game has provided opportunities for young boys and girls. Teams from La Guajira, Tierralta (Córdoba), Apartadó (Antioquia) and Bolívar took part in the competition which was also attended by four players from Colombia’s men’s and women’s 15s and sevens national teams. The opportunities for personal development through support were reinforced through the Get Into Rugby message of try, play and stay.
Nicole Acevedo, current captain of Las Tucanes and a Rio 2016 Olympian, was joined by Cristian David Rodallegas and Alejandro Vanegas, who came through the Sports Diplomacy programme run by the Colombian Foreign Affairs Ministry. In addition, Valentina Tapias, a recent South American U18 champion and future Youth Olympic Games participant, enjoyed the rugby tournament which was won by Selección Cactus from La Guajira.
Federación Colombiana de Rugby President Andrés Gómez said: “We are delighted to have had Prince Albert, a well-known rugby supporter who fully knows the sport and its values, share in this festival of rugby, community and solidarity. Through the Sports Diplomacy programme we have been able to strengthen our leaders, coaches, officials and players as they travelled around the world with the support of the Foreign Ministry.”
Click here to find out more about the work of Peace and Sport and to learn about World Rugby’s Spirit of Rugby programme, visit www.worldrugby.org/spirit-of-rugby.