With the focus on inclusiveness and bringing people of all abilities and backgrounds together, Sport  took centre stage of the global initiative Generations For Peace which is holding its first 2009 camp in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister.

Launched in Jordan in 2007, Generations For Peace uses sport as a tool for bringing hope to troubled and divided communities across the world. In Abu Dhabi, delegates from India, Pakistan, Palestine, Iraq, Bangladesh, Somalia, Nigeria, Yemen, Lebanon as well as the host country UAE.

So far, delegates have received tuition in a variety of topics along from recognised academics, with sports guidance from professional coaches from the National Basketball Association, International Volleyball Association and Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.

Following the 10-day camp, the delegates return home with the know-how and the back-up from the Generations For Peace team to implement projects within their own communities.

Abu Dhabi’s camp has been supported for the first time by the National Basketball Association and will run until March 10. Two more camps are planned before the end of the year with more first-time countries expected to send delegates to take part.