French football legend Lilian Thuram had a kick about with St Andrews students at the launch of a sport and faith union.
The World Cup winner was among a trio of international sports stars in Fife to a global movement promoting the values of faith and sport in uniting communities.
Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick and South Africa’s Francois Pienaar, both rugby World Cup winners, were also at the University of St Andrews Sports Centre.
They helped launch sports promotion society ISPS Handa’s patronship of the Sport at the Service of Humanity Foundation which was formed last year following a Vatican conference.
Former Parma, Juventus and Barcelona player Thuram, who flew in from Paris, founded the Lilian Thuram Foundation to tackle racism.
He said: “Helping young leaders tackle the major issues of our times is invaluable.
“You have to explain to children that we are not born racist; we become racist because racism is a cultural thing. It is time to consider ourselves, first and foremost, as human beings.
“And whether in sport or in faith, SSH is built on the greatest values we can adhere to as human beings.”
Also at the event with an audience of student athletes was secretary of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture, Bishop Paul Tighe.
Bishop Tighe said: “The Vatican PCC, in conjunction with the SSH Foundation and its partners, celebrate the value of sport, its capacity to bring joy to participants and observers, to promote physical and mental well-being, and to create bridges between people.”
As global patron, ISPS Handa will support the development of a youth mentoring program where global leaders in sport, education and non-profit organisations will work with youth leaders to develop skills for success.
The University of St Andrews will collaborate with the SSH Foundation.
It is already connected with founder and chairman of ISPS Handa, Dr Haruhisa Handa, who is a supporter of its Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, now known as the Handa CSTPV.
Dr Handa said: “We believe that sport has the power to inspire, transform and unite people across social, racial and socio-economic barriers.
“The SSH Foundation is a partner that shares these values with us. We look forward to working with them to change the lives of young people.”
At the launch student Maddie Tarr, a member of the university’s basketball team, described teaching sport to children over the summer with Volunteer Zambia.
She said: “Spending each day with incredible and inspiring Zambian peers, as well as the kids from the community, completely reshaped my world views, personal life goals and skills.
“Aside from the honour of representing my university, I had the privilege to pass on my knowledge of culture, English and basketball to some truly incredibly loving children.”
