Football legends, David Trezeguet and Bora Milutanovic and Michael Hershman, Group CEO of the International Centre for Sport Security speak during a panel discussion.
Save the Dream joined forces with Al Kass to host a special workshop on the sidelines of the Al Kass International Cup to educate young footballers about the importance of being a role model and promoting positive values through sport.
Building on the agreement signed between the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and Al Kass at the opening match of the Al Kass International Cup last Saturday, over 250 young footballers, officials and coaches attended the workshop and heard from football legends, David Trezeguet and Bora Milutanovic, as well as ICSS Group CEO, Michael Hershman.
Speaking to some of the world’s top under-17 club teams - including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, AS Roma and Aspire Academy – David Trezeguet said: “Sport is a powerful vehicle for positive change in society and empowering young people. It teaches values like teamwork, respect and collaboration to young people around the world, including those who have been less fortunate, and is a bridge between different cultures and countries."
“Following my participation in Bayt Qatar and Save the Dream during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, this gave me a valuable opportunity to learn about Save the Dream and its important mission to promote and protect values in young people. I am proud to join them as an ambassador today to speak to young players and be part of the Save the Dream family,” Trezeguet said.
Drawing on his significant international experience coaching teams around the world, Bora Milutanovic also spoke during the panel, adding: “Coaches play an integral role in promoting positive values in sport. Not only do they set an example to their players, coaches are also in a unique position where they can make a real and lasting positive impact on the lives of their players."
“As a coach, I believe it is important to ensure your players live by strong values both on and off the field of play. This includes showing respect and caring for yourself and others, as well as ensuring your players live and play by the highest standards of professional and personal integrity,” Milutanovic said.
In addition, Michael Hershman, ICSS Group CEO, also highlighted the importance of a values-based approach in teaching young people strong personal values through sport.
“In order to preserve and safeguard the integrity of sport, we must protect the next generation of sports stars," Hershman said.
“Through the work of Save the Dream, the ICSS provides a values-based approach to safeguarding young people and we aim to ensure that young athletes are properly empowered and educated about the important values and life lessons that sport can teach them."
At the conclusion of the workshop, Massimiliano Montanari, Executive Director – Save the Dream, also announced that David Trezeguet has been appointed as a new ambassador for Save the Dream, which will see the Juventus legend promote the positive values of sport to young people at various Save the Dream workshops and activities around the world.
Speaking about the appointment, Massimiliano Montanari, Executive Director – Save the Dream, said: “The appointment of David as a Save the Dream ambassador is another significant coup and on behalf of Save the Dream, I would like to welcome and thank him for his commitment to promoting the values of sport."
Save the Dream is a global, non-profit movement of organisations, people and athletes created by the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) with the support of technology partner, Ooredoo.
