MARIA’S PROMISE

As the founder of the Maria Toorpakai Foundation, I want every girl out there to know that a good, happy life can be created. Life is another word for struggle. There will be hardships, but they will polish us into a diamond. Sports provide us with an excellent opportunity to self-reflect. We learn to run, jump, throw, fall and rise, win and lose, we face set backs but we learn to never give up on our selves and life. Our willpower makes fully us. Sports teach us that every challenge needs to be looked into the eye, every limit needs to be pushed further, every weakness can be turned into strength. Sports teach us that we are fully in charge of our lives and are fully responsible and capable of making any change within ourselves and in our surrounding. The power of sports is undeniable and the good habits stay life long.

Sports is a fundamental human right in the UNESCO's International Charter of Physical Education & Sport, 1978. The United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 also recognizes Sports as a basic Child right. Keeping SDGS Agenda 2030 in view, MTF focuses on using the power of sports to advance equality, empowerment, diversity and positivity.

Every girl should be free to play and learn without any fear. Girls are strong, powerful and capable of leading their lives.  I promise to create lasting change by providing young girls the opportunities to play sports and learn without fear. I wish to see a world equal, healthy and sporty. Parents’ support and encouragement means a whole world to a daughter, so supportive parents mean many more strong and independent daughters which means a more gender balanced world. The only way we can develop humanity as a whole is to make sure everyone gets fair chance. Life is a one-time chance and the freedom to become fully us is our only obligation. Young girls must understand that they are unique, smart and powerful individuals and timely realization of their full potential is their contribution to a better and safe world for all. Sports is the path to self-awareness that brings enlightenment and knowledge to break down barriers, negativity and close-mindedness.

I believe sports, education and health are the pillars on which happy societies can be built but we must join together on this journey.