Ahead of World Cup, UN hails power of sport to bring communities, peoples together

 UN, 9 June 2014 – Just days away from the kick-off of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the “best values of sport” – teamwork, fair play and mutual respect – as the United Nations today joined the international fervour that accompanies the games, even getting its normally staid diplomats out of suits and ties and into their national team uniforms.

“The first game is not until Thursday, but the level of excitement is already high. I suspect people are already adjusting their schedules in order to be in front of the television to see their teams perform,” Mr. Ban said at an event at Headquarters to mark the start of the World Cup, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Salvador and elsewhere across Brazil, from 12 June to 13 July.