Rwanda's UN Representative Demands Equitable Global Sports System

Rwanda's envoy to the United Nations, Martin Ngoga, has called on the global community to create a more equitable and inclusive internat...

Rwanda's envoy to the United Nations, Martin Ngoga, has called on the global community to create a more equitable and inclusive international sports system, highlighting that many developing countries are still excluded from meaningful opportunities and visibility in the sector. ALSO READ: Kagame criticizes elitism in global event hosting at UCI Congress He made this appeal on Wednesday, November 19, during the 46th plenary session of the 80th UN General Assembly, which focused on Sports for development and peace building. “Rwanda calls for greater equity and inclusion in the global #sports structure. Many developing nations remain structurally excluded from opportunity and visibility. We also emphasize the importance of maintaining the neutrality of #sports. Politicization serves no purpose except... pic.twitter.com/HVevjK9NSY — Permanent Mission of Rwanda to The United Nations (@RwandaUN) November 19, 2025 Reflecting on Rwanda’s journey after the genocide, Ngoga emphasized that sports go beyond competition or entertainment. He described them as a bridge for diplomacy and an investment in peace. “For Rwanda, this is not just theory. It is our lived experience,” he stated. “A country that emerged from the ashes of genocide understands, more than most, the power of sport to rebuild a broken people, restore trust, unite communities, and inspire a new generation to believe in itself again.” He recalled how, in the fragile years following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, sports played a quiet yet powerful role in Rwanda's healing. “At a time when our social fabric was most fragile, it was sports on our hills, in our villages, in our schools, that helped us move from trauma to resilience, from despair to renewed national purpose.” ALSO READ: The end of the Arsenal deal as Rwanda targets the US tourism market Ngoga urged member states to recognize sports as a key instrument of preventive diplomacy, especially as global divisions grow. “In a world increasingly divided, where conflicts are multiplying and the trust between nations is eroding, sports remain one of the few global languages capable of reducing tensions and creating common ground,” he said. He added that sports must be treated as a deliberate peacebuilding tool, not an afterthought. “This is why Rwanda has made strategic and deliberate investments that continue to have a continental and global impact.” The diplomat highlighted that global sports systems still favor a few countries. “We call for greater equity and inclusion in the global sports architecture. Many developing nations remain structurally excluded from opportunity and visibility,” he noted. He called for targeted support in infrastructure financing, technology transfer, and capacity building to "level the playing field," and urged stronger implementation of global frameworks such as the UN Action Plan on Sports for Development and Peace. ALSO READ: Revisiting Rwanda’s major sports sponsorship deals since 2018 Ngoga also advocated for increased investment in inclusive sports development, stating, “Rwanda urges greater investment from member states to unlock sports' full potential as an enabler of the Sustainable Development Goals. This includes expanding access for women, girls, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities.” Highlighting Rwanda’s own model, he pointed to the country’s hosting of major international events like the Basketball Africa League, its investment in world-class sports facilities, and programs supporting vulnerable youth and promoting gender equality. “These are not symbolic actions. These are policy choices rooted in Rwanda's belief that sport is human capital development and a pathway to dignity, especially for Africa's youth.” ALSO READ: “Sports-washing” advocates struggling against the tide Ngoga also warned against the politicization of sports. “Rwanda emphasizes the importance of upholding the neutrality of sports. We urge member states to resist attempts to politicize sporting partnerships and collaborations,” he said, warning that such interference undermines progress and disproportionately affects developing nations.

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