The President, Mrs McAleese, has paid tribute to sports councils on both sides of the Border for their determination to help young people through sport.
Speaking at an All-Ireland sports development conference in Newry, Co Down, yesterday, she said those involved had to face a complex array of circumstances as sports administration must be sophisticated and well planned.
"It is particularly heartening to see the importance given to the role which sport can play in addressing the vexed issue of social inclusion and in targeting social need," she said.