United Through Sports Virtual Youth Festival 2021 brings global sports community together

The launch ceremony of this year’s United Through Sports (UTS) World Virtual Youth Festival 2021, which is being held in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi from 20-27 November, showcased the power of sport to promote teamwork and togetherness among youth.

Over 100 International Sports Federations and organisations are participating in this year’s seven-day hybrid edition of the UTS World Virtual Youth Festival. The annual festival serves as an important opportunity for the global sports community to celebrate World Children’s Day which is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.

The UTS festival is held under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Special Olympics International (SOI), GAISF, SportAccord and the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS).

During the opening of the festival on Monday 22 November, members of the global sports community were able to listen to speeches from IOC President Thomas Bach, IPC President Andrew Parsons, Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis, Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee President, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al Saud, and UTS President and GAISF Vice-President Stephan Fox.

GAISF President Ivo Ferriani said:

“The importance of this year’s United Through Sports Virtual Youth Festival and its role in promoting unity and peace cannot be overstated, and GAISF is honoured to be a patron of this event. Over the course of the seven-day festival, sport will have an opportunity to unite and inspire children around the world through the power of sport.”

For more news about the UTS World Virtual Youth Festival, click here, and for regular updates be sure to follow the festival on on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn.