UNICEF, the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have announced a partnership for children that will touch the lives of children in Commonwealth countries across the world. It aims to make next summer's sporting event an inspirational and enabling moment for children.
As part of International Inspiration Programme, the official legacy project of London Olympics-2012, UNICEF has supported Government of India in implementing ‘Sport for Development’ (S4D) programme in five states - Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. The programme aimed to help increase opportunities for children and young people to participate and learn through physical education and sports.

“The Sport for Development programme has brought together thousands of teachers, coaches, young leaders and master trainers who were involved and trained not only to lead quality sport and play activities but to become advocates for the rights of children, including their right to play”, said Urmila Sarkar, Chief, Education, UNICEF.

The Queen’s Baton Relay launched on October 9, 2013 by the British Queen from the Buckingham palace contains her message to the Commonwealth and travels more than 190,000 kilometres over 288 days. UNICEF’s message on the power of sport and play to ensure development of children resonates loud and clear.
At an event organised in Salwan Public School, Mayur Vihar, here on Monday, the UNICEF’s Education Specialist, Begur Ramachandra Rao, said, “the article 31 of the Convention of Rights of Child emphasizes every child’s right to play and reassures the power of sport in achieving developmental goals. UNICEF’s mission commits to ensure that every child in India has the right to play and to enjoy recreation and sport in a safe and healthy environment.”

More than 600 school children that included visually and intellectually challenged children participated in the event today and demonstrated their talents in various fields such as athletics, gymnastic, yoga and dance. The Right of children to free and compulsory education (RTE) act 2009 that mandates the provision of playground in schools was highlighted to all participants during the event.