Ensuring access to sports for all

Sport is popular all around the world and is one of the many ways to be physically active and improve health. However, not everyone has access to opportunities to learn, play and enjoy sport at any age and all levels of ability.

WHO works with sport sector stakeholders through memorandums of agreement with international sporting organizations, nongovernmental organizations and sports-related industries; by convening industry stakeholders through annual dialogues; and through the WHO Sport for Health Programme.

Ensuring access to sports for all is accomplished by:

• developing, scaling and sharing best practice programmes and policies;
• building capacity in sport and health sectors;
• strengthening connections, collaborations, and knowledge exchange across sectors;
• working to ensure fulfilment of the promise and impact of a health legacy in sport event host countries and cities; and
• recognizing sports events as health promoting settings.

The value of sport towards the Sustainable Development Goals including is well-documented, including for the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases. However, ensuring access to sports for all requires ongoing and intentional cross-sector efforts.