Knapen and speed skating champion Koss: sport can boost development

News article | February 6, 2012

Sport in developing countries can help to boost peace and security, hygiene and effective water supplies, and sexual health. This was the theme of talks last Friday between international cooperation minister Ben Knapen and Johann Olav Koss, the Norwegian speed skating champion.

‘Koss’s organisation Right to Play shows that sport is a powerful channel for reconciliation and information. World-class athletes, businesses, philanthropists and sports associations are working together and getting results. Some of our Dutch top athletes, like Bart Veldkamp and the Rabobank cycling team, are already active as ambassadors for Right to Play,’ said Mr Knapen.

A number of Dutch embassies and sports associations are teaming up to boost sport and development. For instance, the Royal Dutch Football Association and various organisations active in the water sector plan to use sport to improve water supplies, hygiene and sanitation at 1,100 schools in Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique. It is hoped that the venture will reduce illness among thousands of schoolchildren.