Champions for Peace committed to social cohesion in Côte d’Ivoire
On the occasion of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025 in Côte d’Ivoire, Champion for Peace Ruth Gbagbi marked her commitment to social cohesion and peace through sport. As iconic figures in Ivorian sports and inspiring role model, her actions follow in the footsteps of initiatives led by Didier Drogba, Vice President of Peace and Sport, whose commitment to peace through sports inspires generations of Ivorian and African athletes.
Side by side with 50 girls and 10 coaches, double Olympic medalist Ruth Gbagbi actively participated in a “Basketball for Good” workshop organized alongside the competition in Abidjan. This educational session was based on the Peace and Sport Basketball Methodology, recognized in the United Nations Secretary-General’s report on sport as a tool for promoting social inclusion and youth empowerment.
The workshop drew attention to sport as a vehicle for dialogue, respect, and acceptance of others. Organized in collaboration with the FIBA Foundation, FIBA Africa, and the Ivorian Basketball Federation, this workshop illustrates a strong and shared commitment: to leverage major sporting events to raise awareness among young people and strengthen the social fabric, while laying the foundations for a more structural use of sport as a lever for development and peace.
The presence of an iconic and inspiring athlete motivated the young participants and gave additional impetus to the efforts of educators committed to promoting the values of living together through basketball.
This initiative once again illustrates the unique role that athletes play in promoting peace through sport. Through her engagement, the double Olympic medalist expressed her support for this major sporting event, held for the first time in their country, highlighting its potential as a lever for development and inclusion, as well as its importance for promoting women’s sport on the African continent.
Their presence on the ground, in direct contact with the youth, gives particular resonance to messages of respect, tolerance and solidarity. Far beyond their performances, champions become catalysts for change. By putting their fame, their experiences, and their values at the service of society, they actively contribute to advancing Peace and Sport’s mission: to build more inclusive and peaceful societies through the transformative power of sport.
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