The Generation Amazing Foundation (GA) proudly looks back on the participation of its youth advocates and delegations at Festival 24, an international solidarity festival that brought together over 500 young people from 36 countries in Lyon and Paris. As part of their mission to build capacity in sport for development, GA nominated two Youth Advocates from Qatar, Mohammed Al-Qassabi and Arham Khalid, to represent the foundation at the festival. The event, endorsed by the French Ministry of Sport as part of the Paris 2024 legacy program, provided a platform for young leaders to engage in cultural exchanges, sporting activities, and forums to enhance their leadership skills and drive social change through sports.
The experiences of the youth participants at Festival 24 highlighted the impact of the festival, with Al-Qassabi emphasizing the value of international dialogue and cultural exchange. A youth delegate from Pakistan, Alisha Sahito, also underscored the festival’s spirit of equality and inclusivity, noting that every participant was treated as a leader. Building on their leadership skills, the GA Youth Advocates led sports-for-development training sessions for the delegates, fostering dialogue and learning to empower youth through sports. The partnership between GA and Festival 24, supported by prestigious sponsors and the Delegation of the European Union to the State of Qatar, emphasized the commitment to driving sustainable impact through sports and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Nasser Al-Khori, GA Executive Director, highlighted the collaboration with Festival 24 and the importance of gender equality and inclusion in sports, especially in light of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The event advanced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and built on the legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with support from partners at the EU. The participation of young leaders from Qatar, Pakistan, and Senegal in Festival 24, engaging in cultural exchanges, sporting activities, and discussions, aligned with the EU’s commitment to youth empowerment and sports diplomacy. The expansion of GA’s focus beyond football at Festival 24 marked a pivotal moment, demonstrating their dedication to leveraging sports for positive change in communities worldwide.
As the world transitions to the Paralympics, the legacy of Festival 24 continues to resonate, with lessons learned and connections made by young leaders influencing their personal development and communities. Generation Amazing remains committed to using sports as a catalyst for social change, solidifying its role as a key legacy project of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The impact of Festival 24 extends beyond the event itself, creating a lasting effect on youth empowerment and social development through sports. The collaboration between GA, Festival 24, and partners reaffirmed the power of sports to unite and inspire young leaders from different backgrounds to drive positive change in society.
