Sports as a Pathway to Better Lives

In recent years, more scholars have examined how sport can help communities grow and become peaceful. Researchers now publish many reviews that look at whether sports programs meet goals like health, education and equality. These studies cover topics such as teamwork, leadership, or conflict resolution. However, no one has yet taken a step back to compare all those reviews. It is unclear which findings are strongest, how reliable the evidence is, or what gaps still exist in the research. A new analysis plans to fill that gap by systematically mapping out every existing review on sports‑based development. By doing so, it will identify patterns, highlight under‑studied areas, and suggest directions for future work.The goal is not just to list studies but to evaluate their quality, scope, and impact. This will help policymakers decide where to invest resources and guide practitioners who design sports programs for social change. Ultimately, a clearer picture of the evidence will strengthen the case that sport can be a powerful tool for achieving broader development goals.