March 04th, 2026

SPORT AGAINST VIOLENCE
​EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in AFGHANISTAN project 2005-2020.

The Lion of Finland speech 17.08.2011. Marefat High School Kabul city Afghanistan.


Dear friends at Marefat High School,
Today, August 17th, 2011, we celebrate FAIR PLAY DAY. I am truly happy to see all of you, and I want to thank Marefat High School from the bottom of my heart for inviting me to share this special day of sports and friendship with you.
This day is part of a greater mission: SPORT AS A PEACE MISSION, the theme day of the Afghanistan Olympic Committee, and our own theme day SPORT AGAINST VIOLENCE. Today, these two missions come together to celebrate the same message: EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in Afghanistan.
The year 2005 was declared the United Nations Year of Physical Education, calling all organizations to support young people around the world. Our EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT project chose Afghanistan as the country to focus on.
In Finland, many sports clubs, organizations, and families wanted to help. Together, we collected school materials that were sent to Afghan schools with the support of NATO/ISAF forces. Thousands of children received the tools they needed to learn, grow, and dream. The first school to receive help was Surobi Girl School in November 2006.
In 2008, I began participating in heavyweight PR boxing matches to raise more school supplies for Afghan children. I have now fought six Sport Against Violence matches, and today, here in the yard of Marefat High School, is my seventh – all in the spirit of FAIR PLAY.
I want to emphasize that every child in the world – especially girls – has the right to go to school, to learn to read and write, to sing, play, and enjoy sports. This is a fundamental right, a seed of hope that can grow into a brighter future.
Sports is a path to peace. On football fields and sports grounds, children from many backgrounds play together. Sports unite us across colors, religions, and cultures. Here, we can make friends, work together, and play in the true spirit of FAIR PLAY.
Today, I hope that all of us here at Marefat High School, and throughout Afghanistan, will embrace FAIR PLAY both on and off the sports fields. I am grateful to be here with you, my friends, to share joy, friendship, and to work together to build a more peaceful world.
A special heartfelt thanks to the Afghanistan Olympic Committee and its President, General Akhbar, as well as my dear friend Dr. Anwar Yousefi, Taekwondo Master and Founder of Taekwondi ITF Academy in Kabul, for their support and friendship in this mission.
Together, through sports and physical education, we show that every child is important and deserves the chance to dream, learn, and thrive.
Timo Virtanen “The Lion of Finland”
Heavyweight Boxer

Dr Anwar Yousefi & The Lion of Finland.

Dr Anwar Yousefi & The Lion of Finland.

Sport against violence boxing match. !7.08.2011 Marefat High school Kabul city Afghanistan.