Colombia launches school sports program to boost youth health and safety

Colombia’s "Jornada Deportiva Escolar Complementaria" is a nationwide school‑based program targeting children and adolescents aged 3 to 17. It aims to reduce risk factors such as juvenile delinquency, drug use and child recruitment by encouraging regular participation in organized sports.

The initiative is delivered through inter‑sectoral cooperation, establishing Sports Interest Centers within schools. Each trainer manages five groups of 20 participants, providing two weekly sessions of two hours each. The program promotes motor skill development, gender equality, healthy lifestyle habits and social‑emotional competencies such as teamwork, discipline and empathy.

Participants receive a sports uniform, risk‑insurance coverage during training, school‑provided equipment and continuous technical‑pedagogical guidance from qualified physical‑education professionals. The broader goal is to create a culture of sport that enriches free time, improves educational quality and contributes to peacebuilding in the country.