‘If You Are Given the Opportunity, You Can Be Number One,’ Secretary-General

 

Tells Children of Gaza, in Video Message to UNRWA Summer Games

 

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the children of Gaza on the occasion of the UNRWA Summer Games, to be held on 22 July:

As-salamu alaykum!

Hello!  I’m Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

And I want to congratulate the children of Gaza for taking part in this great event.

You are showing the world that, if you are given the opportunity, you can be number one!

Last year, you broke the record for kite flying.

We were all so inspired to see thousands of you — the next generation in Gaza — flying kites you made, and reaching for the sky.

What a message to the world.

Now, show us what you can do with thousands of basketballs!  I’ll join in from New York.

[Bounces ball.]

I thank the United Nations staff in Gaza for organizing the Summer Games, and for helping the children of Gaza show that they can bounce back from adversity and be the best in the world.

I wish you all good luck.  Go for it, Gaza!

[Throws ball as if towards basket.]

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For information media • not an official record