Norwegian Team Visits Sport in Action to Assess Impact of Funded Programs

On November 21st, 2023, a team comprised of representatives from the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) visited Sport in Action to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs and operations they fund. This partnership between Norwegian organizations and Sport in Action has spanned over 20 years, contributing to the development of sports for humanitarian purposes.

During their visit, the team had the opportunity to explore various hub-sites and actively participated in Sport in Action’s “Girls in Action” sessions at Fountain of Hope. The purpose of this visit was to gain a firsthand understanding of how sports is used as a platform to convey crucial messages, including gender equality and empowerment, to young boys and girls.

Nils Aas, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF), shared his enthusiasm about the visit, stating, “It’s been great to witness the children in action and observe the cohesive communities they create. Sport is proving to be a powerful tool in conveying important messages to empower young boys and girls with knowledge about various issues.”

Rune Arctander, the Head of the International Department at NIF, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of their visit, stating that all their expectations were exceeded. He commended Sport in Action for their tangible results, which were evident throughout their interaction with the organization and the communities it serves.

In response, Frankson Mushindu, the Executive Director of Sport in Action, expressed his gratitude to the visiting team for their continuous partnership and highlighted the vital role that sports play in humanitarian development. He emphasized that the success of their programs would not have been possible without the support and collaboration from organizations like the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic committee, NIF, and NORAD.

The Norwegian team’s visit to Sport in Action serves as a testament to the positive impact that sports can have on the lives of individuals and communities. Through their continued partnership, these organizations are actively contributing to the promotion of gender equality, empowerment, and knowledge-sharing among young boys and girls.

As the relationship between Norwegian organizations and Sport in Action continues to thrive, it is evident that sports for development will remain a key factor in humanitarian initiatives. The success and long-standing partnership between these entities provide inspiration for other organizations to leverage the power of sports in promoting positive social change and fostering inclusive communities.