Sport has the potential to strengthen social cohesion and to help eradicate racism, said Minister of State for Integration Conor Lenihan.
Speaking last night at the launch of Sport Against Racism Ireland's (Sari) three-year strategic plan, Mr Lenihan said: "As well as the evident benefits to health, sport has significant potential to offer us a greater understanding of cultural diversity, to build social cohesion and to combat racism and other forms of discrimination."
Noting that racism in sport was a problem throughout Europe, he said he recognised the importance of assisting groups that aimed to find common ground through sport.
Established in 1997, Sari is a volunteer-run body that encourages integration through sport. It also lobbies for and helps formulate policy on social inclusion among sporting organisations. Some 50,000 people have taken part in its events, notably its annual Soccerfest weekends.
Mr Lenihan praised the volunteers behind Sari's work.
"The volunteer dimension remains an important component of Sari's work and, indeed, other sporting and community organisations nationwide. It is essential that we promote and foster such volunteerism in our new communities," he said.
Film-maker Perry Ogden, who is chair of Sari's board, said the organisation needs the support of Government and the co-operation of sporting bodies. "If this can happen then we would have a wonderful chance to make sport a truly effective instrument for cultural integration," he said.
