Based in Switzerland, the International Hockey Federation celebrated the 2020 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace leading up to April 6th. The core mission was to use sports as a catalyst for peace and societal growth, with the organization emphasizing that the need for unity is more urgent than ever. The FIH detailed five days of international activity, showcasing their collaboration with other global hockey bodies. A notable example of this was the partnership between the Royal Belgium and Ghana Hockey Associations, which focused on delivering equipment to underserved African communities. As a result, 400 young people in Ghana received sticks, while 25 coaches and 170 students benefited from specialized training sessions.
International Hockey Federation in Switzerland celebrated International Day of Sports for Development and Peace 2020 for the past few days until Monday, April 6th, in their place. The program’s base was to motivate the people with peace, and development through the process of projects and ideas, the team felt never more than ever had they felt right to bring this message of unity, peace, development than now.
The FIH shared the schedule of five days of work done by the team, around the continent, and their contribution to other hockey associations in the world. In the pandemic crisis, Royal Belgium Hockey Association and Ghana Hockey Association delivered hockey kits to the underprivileged communities in Africa. In the days of schedule Ghana’s youngsters received 400 hockey sticks, 25 hockey coaches gained training, and 170 hockey students had taught with techniques.
The initiative also focused on empowering qualified coaches to lead one-on-one sessions with aspiring players. Beyond technical training, the celebration sought to grow the sport's popularity worldwide—not only in established powerhouses like Argentina, Canada, and the USA, but also in emerging hockey nations such as Mexico, Trinidad, and Tobago. From April 1st to April 5th, 2020, the FIH Academy worked to promote the values of athletics, with Director Mike Joyce releasing a video message detailing the current programs being implemented for players globally.
In his address, Director Mike Joyce expressed his pride in celebrating the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace as part of a sporting community supported by the United Nations. He highlighted the transformative power of sports to drive positive global change, noting that this progress is made possible through strategic partnerships with various national associations and continental federations.
These development programs go beyond the fundamentals of hockey; they integrate essential life lessons, including gender equality, social inclusion, and the importance of education and infrastructure. In the Oceania region, the continental federation partnered with international organizations to spread this message, emphasizing that sports are a powerful tool for teaching vital soft skills, such as leadership and self-confidence.