The Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted and opened for signature on 20 November 1989 and ratified by the Italian Parliament in 1991, celebrates on this date its 30th anniversary.
From this treaty, The United Nations Children’s Fund and the Japan Committee for UNICEF established guidelines for organisations involved with children in sports, creating the Children’s Rights in Sport Principles (1992).
Play is a child’s right, as noted in Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and “sport has the important power to promote children’s sound growth, regardless of their age, gender, place of birth, or whether or not they have any disabilities” as stated by Ryoko Akamatsu, Japan Committee for UNICEF’s Chairperson.
Play is still believed to be something trivial, a waste of time or a reward to give when kids do their job. It’s considered as a gift, not a right by some adults.
Yet play is something serious: it makes kids know courage, confidence, friendship and other values, while growing physically and mentally. Playing makes you feel and grow healthy!
That’s why Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio decided, in collaboration with Regione Lombardia, Bergamo’s Healthcare Protection public body, the Central police station and the “Specchio Magico” Social Cooperative Onlus, to enhance the experience of their young athletes by creating a project called “Atalanta B.C. Buoni Comportamenti” (Atalanta B.C. Good Behaviour).
How? By committing themselves in the promotion of children’s rights, the enhancement of the dimension of play, the right usage of internet, new technical devices and social networks, the growth of their staff’s expertise and the support of families.
Why? Because it’s up to adults to can make the real difference, by personally committing and questioning themselves, since we are living a generational change in which everything must be revised.
Every adult must have an educational role, be careful and alert so that the children’s rights are observed.
Atalanta B.C. is there and ready!
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN SPORT PRINCIPLES (FIGC 1.7.2019 Official Press Release n.1)
The FIGC promotes, regulates and organises the activities of youth football for players aged between five and 16 through the Youth and Scholastic Sector, with technical, educational and social purposes. Adults must commit to respect and support the following rights:
1. RIGHT TO ENJOY ONESELF AND PLAY
2. RIGHT TO PRACTICE SPORTS
3. RIGHT TO BENEFIT FROM A SAFE SPORTING ENVIRONMENT
4. RIGHT TO BE SURROUNDED AND TRAINED BY COMPETENT PEOPLE
5. RIGHT TO ATTEND TRAINING SESSIONS ADEQUATE TO INDIVIDUAL RHYTHMS
6. RIGHT TO COMPETE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME OPPORTUNITY OF SUCCESS
7. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN ADEQUATE COMPETITIONS
8. RIGHT TO PRACTISE ONE’S SPORT IN ABSOLUTELY SAFE CONDITIONS
9. RIGHT TO HAVE RESTING PERIODS
10. RIGHT NOT TO BE A CHAMPION
