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More Than a Game: How Sport Drives Real Social Value

Sport and physical activity now generate over £100 billion (RM590 billion) in social value every year in England (Sport England, 2024).

Sport is powerful. From grassroots movements to Olympic arenas, it has long been a symbol of perseverance, unity, and pride. But beyond the pitch and podiums, how exactly is sport delivering real-world impact?

In the UK, the social value of sport isn’t measured by trophies, it’s measured in wellbeing-adjusted life years (WELLBYs), improved life satisfaction, better mental health, stronger community bonds, and reduced inequality:

  • For young people aged 11–16, being physically active generates an estimated £4,100 (RM24,190) in wellbeing value per year, even fairly active youth create £3,100 (RM18,290) annually in measurable value through life satisfaction gains.

  • For adults who are disabled and/or live with long-term health conditions, the benefit is even more pronounced: £5,100 (RM30,090) per year, more than double the value for the average active adult.

  • Sport and physical activity also deliver tangible returns for public systems: Preventing 1.3 million cases of depression, averting 600,000 cases of diabetes and 57,000 cases of dementia. Source: Sport England & Primary Value Report 2024

What We'll Explore

  1. How can sport solve youth disengagement, inequality, and mental health challenges, and foster national cohesion? And can we measure this?

  2. Why are companies investing in sports they don’t play, and what’s the return on impact?

  3. In what ways does sport empower the next generation with real outcomes in leadership, identity, and resilience?

  4. What policy shifts are needed to embed sport into supporting Malaysia’s SDG, wellbeing, and national development strategies?

Who Should Attend?

  • Government & Youth Agencies – KBS, SUKMA, state councils

  • Corporate Leaders – CSR, ESG, and impact management professionals

  • Universities & Educators – Youth coaches, student leaders, lecturers

  • Civil Society & NGOs – Grassroots changemakers and programme designers

  • Students & Volunteers – The future leaders of impact-driven Malaysia

  • Members and Non-Members of SVI or any of our 26 affiliate networks worldwide

Why Join This Chat

Whether you’re managing a CSR programme, designing youth initiatives, or crafting policy, this conversation will offer you frameworks, evidence, and global insight into how sport can serve as a strategic lever for change.

Let’s not leave billions in untapped social value on the field.

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