Wrestling Community to Support “International Day of Sport for Development and Peace” with Social Media Campaign, Worldwide Participation

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (March 31) – FILA, the international governing body for the sport of wrestling, has announced its participation in the first-ever International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, planned for April 6, 2014.

Managed by the sports non-profit Peace and Sport, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) was launched by the United Nations in August 2013 on the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Peace and Sport has established the website April6.org as its platform for expression and promotion of all worldwide initiatives in support of the first-ever IDSDP.

According to Peace and Sport, the coordinated worldwide event represents a “unique opportunity to mobilize, join forces, encourage and bring to light projects for peace and development through sport. The day marks a historic step in recognizing sport as a tool for peace and development.”

“Wrestling is the perfect sport for building peaceful interaction among at-conflict communities around the world. I believe that our competitors and fans will show support for this important worldwide initiative,” said FILA president Nenad Lalovic.

To support the April6.org campaign FILA is asking the worldwide wrestling community to participate in “Carton Blanc” or “White Card” in which athletes and leaders from sports around the world take photos of themselves holding a small white card like the red and yellow types that are often used in sports like rugby and football. The “White Card” movement is a symbolic gesture that shows support for peace through sport.

“There are wrestlers on every corner of the planet and we hope to get them online showing their support for peace through sport,” said Lalovic. “We plan to lead the social media campaign and bring awareness to this special project.”

Wrestlers, coaches, fans and others interested in participating should take these 3 easy steps:

1. Take photos holding a small white card (half-sheet of standard paper)
2. Post to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #PlayforPeace and #WrestleforPeace
3. Tag the Twitter users “@April6_IntlDay” and “@fila_official” to ensure that Sport and Peace receives the message. On Facebook as @April6

FILA will also be creating a short video featuring these photos and a special message from the wrestling community to be posted on April 6.

For More Information:

www.april6.org

www.peace-sport.org

www.Fila-Official.com