Academics from 12 countries – India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Slovakia, South Korea, Thailand, Palestine, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan attended the Asian Peace Sports Conference at Hyderabad, India in February 2025
by Ooi Lay Beng
KUALA LUMPUR, March 2: Peace Sports? What are they? They are new sports with names like mini volleyball, hooverball, ecua volley and catch ball (all variants of volleyball), and jombola (a wooden racket game played with foam balls).
Academics from sports-related disciplines belonging to the newly-formed World Society for Peace Sports (WSPS) are now embarking on a mission to promote a culture of peace through sports.
Prof. Lee Jong-young, founder and president of WSPS, says the distinctive feature of this society, compared to other sports organisations, is its reliance on academic leadership to advance peace sports.
By engaging these professors from over 60 countries, WSPS leverages their expertise and influence to implement peace sports initiatives in local communities. These academic leaders serve as key facilitators, conducting workshops and conferences to disseminate knowledge on peace sports and inspire change.
WSPS has already made significant strides through its peace sports workshops and conferences.
Prof. Lee notes that key gatherings have recently taken place at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Rajasthan, the Hyderabad Woodbridge Grand Hotel, and the Vasavi College of Engineering in Hyderabad, Telangana.
“These events have drawn over 800 participants, demonstrating a strong and growing interest in peace sports,” he adds.
“The success of these initiatives in India is particularly meaningful, as WSPS views India’s participation as a major step toward achieving global peace,” he reveals.
Looking ahead, WSPS aims to expand its reach to over 200 countries, capitalising on the increasing enthusiasm of participants. These individuals will replicate peace sports initiatives in their workplaces, thereby serving as ambassadors for the movement.
Before heading to India, WSPS also held an international workshop on new sports for peace in Malaysia at the International Youth Centre in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
The above-mentioned sports were also introduced at the workshop by Prof. Lee along with Dr. Oh Sung-hee, Lee Jang-hyun, and Sukdev Singh (creator of jombola and president of the Malaysia Jombola Association).
Prof Lee Jong-young (from right) with Prof K. Rajesh, Prof Oh Sung Hee and Mr Lee Jang Hyun in Hyderabad, India.
“Peace sports now encompass a wide variety of games that align with WSPS’s philosophy of transforming both new and traditional sports into peace-oriented activities,” Prof. Lee reveals.
“This is accomplished through theoretical research and practical activities that integrate peace concepts into sports. WSPS recognises sports as an international standard language capable of fostering unity and creating a better world,” he adds.
Traditional sports have long been institutionalised within a competitive and warlike framework where winning is paramount and losing is equated with failure. This competitive mindset often aligns with humanity’s instinctual nature, which, if left unchecked, can promote division rather than unity.
However, WSPS aims to shift this paradigm by emphasising reason over instinct and advocating for ‘peace sports.’ Peace sports prioritise health, inclusivity, environmental consciousness, and
personal well-being rather than aggressive competition.
“By redesigning sports to align with these peace-oriented principles, WSPS will foster a global movement that encourages collaboration, understanding, and peaceful coexistence,” said Prof. Lee.
Prof Lee Jong-young with Prof. Sairag Saadprai of Thammasat University (Thailand’s president for Peace Sports)
To encourage and recognise the contributions of academics, WSPS awards appreciation letters, certificates, and article presentations on peace sports.
These incentives motivate academics to continue their work and further integrate peace sports principles within their institutions and societies.
Prof. Tan Chee Hian from Malaysia, who attended the first workshop at the International Youth Centre in Cheras, sats it is a positive sign that more people are coming forward to take part in these initiatives.
“It will definitely take time for this concept to grow. But with more people supporting peace through sports, we can hopefully achieve lasting peace among all nations and people,” he says.
Participants from 10 countries – Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, China, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Singapore at the international workshop for new sports for peace at the International Youth Centre in Kuala Lumpur in February 2025
Prof. Lee reiterated WSPS’s commitment to expanding its network and deepening the impact of peace sports worldwide. The goal is to foster a global culture where sports serve as a bridge for unity rather than a battleground for dominance.
By prioritising cooperation over competition and inclusivity over exclusion, WSPS is leading a movement that demonstrates how sports can be a powerful force for good.
With the support of academic leaders, dedicated participants, and an ever-growing global network, peace sports have the potential to reshape societies and contribute to a more harmonious world, says Prof. Lee.
World Society for Peace Sports is headquartered at 35-5, Sin-Duk 2 Gil, Ib-Jang-Myun, Seo-Buk-Gu, Cheon-An City, Choongnam, South Korea 31054 (Facebook: Peace Sports; Instagram: @peacesports2024; and website https://wsps24.tistory.com/ )
WE