Primary school students in Aurangabad, Maharashtra state, India, after playing a cricket match organized by a UNICEF-supported program emphasizing social change through sport.

How Sport Drives Development — and Sets Kids Up for Success

October 3, 2025

Maryanne Buechner

Evidence from dozens of UNICEF Sports for Development (S4D) programs show that physical play serves broader goals for vulnerable children in education, protection, social inclusion and empowerment.

TOP PHOTO: Primary school students in Aurangabad, Maharashtra state, India, after playing a cricket match organized by a UNICEF-supported program emphasizing social change through sport. © UNICEF/UN016429/Singh

HOW TO HELP

There are many ways to make a difference

War, famine, poverty, natural disasters — threats to the world's children keep coming. But UNICEF won't stop working to keep children healthy and safe.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories — more places than any other children's organization. UNICEF has the world's largest humanitarian warehouse and, when disaster strikes, can get supplies almost anywhere within 72 hours. Constantly innovating, always advocating for a better world for children, UNICEF works to ensure that every child can grow up healthy, educated, protected and respected.

Would you like to help give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential? There are many ways to get involved.