United Through Sports (UTS) reached another great milestone in the first quarter of 2025 by hosting its first-ever event in Latin America. Held in Medellín, Colombia, on February 27th, this event followed UTS’ debut in Africa earlier in this month where the UTS leadership participated in the African International Sports Convention (CISA) in Dakar, Senegal, as part of a collaborative effort to support youth development leading up to the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 (YOG Dakar 2026).
In recent years, UTS has established strong partnerships and activities in the Asian and Middle East regions. In 2025, the organization expanded its reach further, making its debut in both Africa and Latin America. Building on this momentum, UTS brought its vision and movement to Medellín, reinforcing its commitment to driving positive change and placing a focus on youth in regions and communities that need it most. By engaging with local organizations and institutions, UTS aims to foster lasting development in every region it reaches.
Led by UTS Columbian representative David Gonzalez, the event was made possible through a collaborative effort between UTS, the Mayor’s Office of Medellín through the Institute of Recreation and Sports of Medellín (INDER), Special Olympics Colombia, the departmental leagues of Karate, Gymnastics, and Muaythai, as well as the Sport is Your Chance Colombia Foundation.
A native of Medellín, David has dedicated his career to youth development through sports. Inspired by IFMA’s social project, Sport is Your Gang, he founded Sport is Your Chance Colombia seven years ago, aiming to give children opportunities to belong, feel valued, and pursue their dreams through the power of sport. David joined as UTS Colombian representative in the second half of 2024. Since then, he has worked alongside the UTS international team to establish local partnerships with organizations such as Special Olympics Colombia, national sports federations and government agencies, culminating in this event.
A Morning of Inclusive Sports and Education
Held at the Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex in Medellin, the event saw UTS joined by Special Olympics Colombia Director Andres David Bonilla, INDER Medellin’s City Events Director Alejandra Monsalve, and Sport Is Your Gang representative Daniela Ramirez. It was crafted as an all-inclusive morning session blending sports and education for the local youth, and promoted values of equity, non-discrimination, and the importance of maintaining a healthy and active body and mind. The children were encouraged to showcase their sports to peers from different disciplines while fostering unified activities. Special Olympics athletes participated in various sports alongside the other youth. Featured sports included gymnastics, karate, and Muay Thai, with Special Olympics Colombia athletes representing badminton and swimming.
The program featured:
- A Unified General Warm-up, where children of different sports and abilities trained together and exchanged skills
- Demonstrations by athletes in their respective sports
- A workshop from UTS and Special Olympics Colombia, discussing with the youth on the importance of inclusion in sports
Throughout the event, over 100 participants, representing various abilities and sports, joined the sporting fun. Energy and enthusiasm filled the air as they showcased their skills and bonded over a shared passion for sports.
Medellín’s Commitment to Positive Sports Tourism
Once known as one of the world’s most dangerous cities, Medellín has transformed into a thriving tourism destination. However, much of its tourism industry still centers around nightlife, which has led to some negative social consequences, including risks to vulnerable youth. In line with its government’s strategic vision, Medellín is now focusing on reshaping its image by promoting sports and cultural events with a positive social impact. Recognizing this opportunity, UTS saw Colombia as an adequate location to kickstart its efforts in Latin America and bring its vision to create a unified effort across all levels of society to build an inclusive world where the next generation can thrive.
David González Escobar, UTS Representative in Colombia, stated: “This was the first UTS activity in Colombia where we had the opportunity to promote inclusion among our athletes. Together with Special Olympics Colombia, the Institute of Recreation and Sports of Medellín INDER, the state leagues of muaythai, karate, Olympic and rhythmic gymnastics, we shared a morning full of good energy and a lot of talent!”
UTS CEO Julia Govinden also expressed her enthusiasm about the organization’s expansion into Latin America, highlighting UTS’s mission to unite through sport and education. Emphasizing on the organization’s commitment to providing all youth with positive opportunities and experiences by bridging the international sports community, NGOs, and governments, she said:
”We are thankful to UTS Colombia under the dedication of David for leading this initiative alongside key organisations who work to make real change in the lives of the next generation. We are excited for the new and growing collaborations and it will be our honour to support the growth of sport and development of youth in Colombia. This is just the beginning”
While UTS will continue efforts in the Middle East and Asia later this year, with key events including the UTS World Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October and our various collaborations across the international sport calendar, Medellín’s successful event marks a new era of an exciting journey for UTS in Latin America. With plans already underway to continue making an impact in both Latin America and Africa over the next few years, UTS is set to drive its vision further.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the organizations that made this event possible, including the Mayor’s Office of Medellín through the Institute of Recreation and Sports of Medellín, Special Olympics Colombia, the departmental leagues of Karate, Gymnastics, and Muaythai, and the Sport is Your Chance Colombia foundation. Their collaboration and support were vital in making this event a success and helping to drive our shared vision of a more inclusive world where the next generation has more opportunities and support to thrive.
