Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Widya Sadnovic presented the program at the forum co-organized by Bahrain, Libya, and Tajikistan, which featured FIFA President Gianni Infantino and several global figures, according to a statement cited here on Thursday.
The celebration marked the implementation of a UN General Assembly resolution positioning football as a means to promote peace and social inclusion in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In his speech at the UNGA Hall, Sadnovic noted UniLeague as part of Indonesia's concrete steps to use football to spur youth-driven development, promote mental health, build peace, and strengthen youth leadership.
He said the initiative is designed not only to encourage competition but also to help young people develop valuable skills beyond the field.
“Through this initiative, youths will go beyond competing; they will learn about leadership, self-development, mental health, and resilience in a fun way,†Sadnovic remarked.
The envoy further noted that Indonesia intends to use UniLeague as a tool for contributing to world peace and supporting the #Football4MentalHealth campaign of the UN Youth Office.
He highlighted that the initiative empowers youths to “become agents of peace in their communities by promoting teamwork, empathy, mutual respect, and solidarity.â€
Furthermore, he described UniLeague as an example of diplomacy translated into concrete action through sports.
Sadnovic represented Indonesia at the celebratory event featuring speeches from world leaders and a mini football tournament in New York's North Lawn area.
Through the university league, Indonesia brings together young talents in competitions held in Jakarta and Bandung.
The Jakarta chapter involves eight teams competing at matches hosted by the University of Indonesia and Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta, while that in Bandung gathers seven teams at the Bandung Institute of Technology.
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Translator: Zaro Ezza, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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