The Tournament of Friendship, a school sports event that promotes fraternity and the values proposed by Pope Francis, celebrates its 41st edition in Querétaro, being the largest school sports event in Latin America. With more than 9,300 athletes from different countries, the Tournament seeks to highlight the importance of solidarity and cooperation over competition.
The sports disciplines of the Tournament of Friendship have grown to include 14 different ones, providing young participants the opportunity to explore various talents and skills. This event goes beyond mere competition, as it aims to instill essential values that young people can apply in their daily lives, fostering the construction of a more united and cohesive society.
Pope Francis has praised the work of the tournament in promoting values such as perseverance, solidarity, and friendship, urging athletes to be agents of fraternity both in competitions and in their everyday environment. According to His Holiness, in a world marked by polarization and competition, sports should be a space to cultivate consistency, honesty, and mutual respect.
In addition to its impact on promoting values, the Tournament of Friendship also has a significant economic impact, generating an estimated economic spillover of 500 million pesos and occupying up to 90% of the local hotel capacity. With the participation of 641 teams, 84 schools, and numerous volunteers, the event consolidates itself as an important economic engine and a space for annual interaction in the region.
This year's edition will take place from November 4 to 12 in various facilities in Querétaro, with a notable presence of schools from the Mano Amiga Network, demonstrating a commitment to inclusion and diversity. Through sports, the Tournament of Friendship offers participants the opportunity to strengthen personal and social skills, promoting unity and coexistence in an atmosphere of healthy competition and camaraderie.
Events like the Tournament of Friendship serve as a reminder of the transformative power of sports at a community level, teaching participants to work as a team, face challenges with resilience, and respect differences. In a world that sometimes prioritizes individuality and competition, this tournament highlights the importance of fraternity and solidarity as fundamental pillars in the formation of a more just and inclusive society.
