Play4Peace started from a personal story, a deep admiration, and a profound love. “I had just lost my dad, who was someone who loved sports and culture,” recounts Ayman Ramdani.
Struggling to cope with his grief, he was encouraged by friends to take action by organizing a charity sports day. This took place on the occasion of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Two hundred and fifty people were expected. In the end, over 2,500 showed up.
An association was then created to repeat the event. “But I thought something was missing; we couldn’t just do this once a year and then nothing for the rest of the year.” Weekly sports activities were then launched. “And then I saw that there were young people who needed skills for their personal development and academic support.”
Ayman Ramdani then set up his headquarters in a 500 square meter house in the heart of Brussels, called House4Peace. A place where young people can come to study, train, meet, recharge, and also cook.
“What I saw was that there were many inequalities in education. Schools are free, but the level and opportunities are not the same for everyone. In Brussels, at the same age, there are certain schools where the level difference is 2 years. So we wanted to bridge that gap and give all young people the tools to feel more included in society, have more confidence in themselves, and have a better chance of finding a job later,” explains Ayman Ramdani.
Thus, Play4Peace is structured around 3 pillars: sports, education, and mentoring, which are more than just support; they transform self-esteem into actions and actions into concrete opportunities.
Through golf and boxing, young people meet mentors, have the opportunity to secure student jobs, and participate in club activities and events.
“For them, it’s about breaking down social and cultural barriers, creating bridges and connections, bringing together worlds, cultures, and people who think they know each other but cross paths, thus preventing society from overlooking exceptional young talents,” concludes Ayman Ramdani.
More than a thousand young people are supported each year by Play4Peace, from 15 different nationalities, with 65% being young girls.
