The 2021 edition of the Peace and Sport Awards appointed the Utah Jazz Basketball Player Rudy Gobert as Champion for Peace of the Year.
The Champion for Peace of the Year Award rewards an athlete who has led a significant and sustainable sports initiative towards peace, justice, and social inclusion. Rudy Gobert is recognized and praised for his social commitment. With his Foundation Rudy’s Kids, Rudy Gobert supports charities that directly impact the lives of youth through education, recreation, community health, and community outreach programs. Rudy’s Kids Foundation also supports the Peacemakers Project in Rwanda, implemented by the Association of Kigali Women in Sports – AKWOS and led by Peace and Sport.
As the 2021 Champion for Peace of the Year, Rudy Gobert joins the Champions for Peace Club, made up of high-level athletes, including the previous Champion for Peace of the Year Award winners, Lionel Messi, Siya Kolisi and Blaise Matuidi.
Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, said:
“On behalf of Peace and Sport, I would like to warmly congratulate Rudy Gobert on becoming the Champion for Peace 2021! It is a great honour to welcome him into our Champions for Peace club. This Award rewards his commitment to children’s rights across the globe through the work of his Foundation, Rudy’s Kids. Rudy Gobert is an exceptional basketball player and a true role model. As such, he can pave the way for a better world.”
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz Basketball Player, commented:
« As a professional athlete, kids look up to you and get inspired by your actions. Through my Foundation, I wanted to take up concrete actions to protect them and to empower them. I wanted to help improve the lives of children and families in need and help them achieve their dreams. It is a great pleasure to be recognized for my social commitment and I warmly thank Peace and Sport and H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco for this Award. I look forward to continuing to inspire and support disadvantaged children. »
During the entirely online celebration of the 2021 Peace and Sport Awards, several winners were rewarded for outstanding initiatives:
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies received the NGO of the Year Award for their “Uniting through the power of football” project ;
• The Youth and Sports Secretary of State of the Government of Portugal won the « Institution of the Year » Award for its National Plan for Ethics in Sport (NPES), which is implemented by the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth (IPDJ) since 2012 ;
• The World Rafting Federation obtained the most votes for the « APRIL6 Initiative of the Year » Award for its digital awareness campaign « Be white water » ;
• The peace animators of the NGO Cop Colombia Internacional were rewarded with the « Special Jury Prize » for their essential role in promoting peace through the practice of soccer in Usme, Colombia.
In organizing this event, Peace and Sport was eager to reward individuals and organizations that have continued to use sport to serve communities despite the health situation and promote peace through best practices in sport.
Peace and Sport would like to extend its special thanks to all its partners, the Champions for Peace who participated in this edition, including the Jury members, the winners, and the nominees of the Peace and Sport Awards 2021.
