PeacePlayers International has been honored as one of the winners of the prestigious 2017 Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation honors individuals and organizations that use organized sports as means to improve the quality of life for people living in areas of conflict. PeacePlayers implements basketball as a tool to build relationships and ease tensions. The organization, founded by Sean Touhey and his brother in 2000, has impacted the lives of children and adults in in the Middle East and all over the world. With programs in over fifteen countries across five continents, PPI is truly a global leader in utilizing the power of sports and teamwork to generate peace.

The recognition by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will only enhance the presence of PPI as they launch numerous programs based in the United States with the help of Nike. Detroit, Baltimore, and Brooklyn will all benefit from PPI projects this summer.  Meaningful, life-long relationships are built through basketball, as players as young as six grow and learn from their coaches and peers. The hope is that older players not only mentor younger participants, but also go on to coach as well. The people-to-people structure of PPI uses local leaders who are knowledgeable of, and sensitive to, specific cultural concerns. By implementing structure and understanding through the fun of basketball, PPI continues to find new paths to peace, reconciliation, and community strength around the world.