Can tennis reduce conflicts, and even wars? | Illya Bakurov | TEDxPacific Avenue
A simple fact of the universe: energy doesn't disappear - it’s redirected.In this powerful TEDx talk, Illya Bakurov explores how sports, especially tennis and other racquet sports, can transform surpluses of energy into connection, resilience, and potentially peace.Drawing from his journey growing up in post-Soviet Ukraine with limited access to courts, to discovering free public courts in Canada and the US, he makes a compelling case: When we give people, especially young people, a place to move, to sweat, to release, to hit things safely we don’t just build athletes - we build healthier, happier and more connected humans and societies. We build peace.This is a call to reimagine the game of tennis not just as a sport, but as a way to heal ourselves, and our world. And, maybe, that's why every game starts with LOVE - LOVE!
Illya Bakurov is a Ukrainian-born tech entrepreneur focused on leveraging the power of technology for young and old alike, an educator, and lifelong tennis player who believes play is not a luxury— but rather a necessity for life, and peace.Today, as a father, coach, and community builder, he teaches tennis and pickleball while championing a bold idea: build courts, not weapons. His vision is to create a world-class tennis club where coaches teach not only the game, but life itself—emphasizing nutrition, sleep, mental health, and resilience alongside skill. For Illya, racquet sports convert surplus energy into connection, healing, and hope. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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