Tuesday, June 1, 2021: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) celebrated the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) on April 6, 2021 with Al Wasl Sports Club (AWC) by participating in the Peace and Sport’s #WhiteCard campaign.
Established by the United Nations General Assembly and the International Olympic Committee, April 6 recognizes the role that sport plays in society and its power to foster dialogue, understanding, social inclusion, and peace.
To commemorate this special day, Canadian University Dubai organized an Academic Seminar of Football Management with the partnership of AWC.
Dr. Leonardo Mataruna, Professor of Sports Management, Canadian University Dubai, said: “This year, we are all still facing an unprecedented situation. This occasion provides the opportunity for CUD and AWC to highlight the unique power of sport in supporting people and communities to overcome the challenges imposed by the pandemic.”
With reference to the yellow and red card in many sports, a #WhiteCard is a symbol created by the Peace and Sport organization to represent the positive power of sport for peace and social inclusion.
The core message of the 2021 #WhiteCard campaign is “behind each #WhiteCard, there is a story.” It seeks to highlight and draw attention to the stories of individuals and communities who have been positively impacted by sport all around the globe. Through a #WhiteCard, everyone can advocate for the unique power of sport for social development and peace, sharing personal stories on how sport has helped people to overcome challenges.
Yousef Al Sayed, Marketing Manager, Al Wasl Sports Club, said: “We are very proud to promote this initiative of the #WhiteCard with CUD in the United Arab Emirates. This is a universal movement from the sport community which has contributed to the promotion of peace all around the world."
CUD and AWC established a partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April 2021. The MoU represents an ongoing relationship that supports cooperation and engagement between the two parties through various activities, including: internship opportunities, academic-related projects and events, research initiatives, outreach programs, and much more.
This event was organized through CUD’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management program, that gives students a profound understanding of the issues and practices prevalent in sport management, while teaching them how to negotiate contracts with players and vendors through athletic valuation, attract crowds to sports events, and coordinate external communication through traditional and digital media.