Good morning! On behalf of Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, welcome to the State Department! And congratulations on being selected for this program. We’re so excited you’re here and can’t wait to see you in action!

You’re about to start a life-changing adventure, on and off of the field. And although you’ll be training with the best, this exchange isn’t just about sports. So, I want to take a couple minutes to add some bigger-picture context.

This exchange is part of a global effort to empower women and girls, and to connect people from India, Pakistan, and the United States through sports. We’ve hosted programs with each of your countries in the past, but this is the first time that players from India and Pakistan have come here together.

Your time in the United States is a chance to start lifelong friendships, as well as to build your athletic skills. Sports are a great way to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds—you’ll meet American athletes like you and learn together about soccer, conflict resolution, and so much more.

You’re also joining the ranks of cultural ambassadors to the United States—people from around the world who engage with their American peers, outside of government, to form the personal connections that are the basis of our 21st century relationships with your countries.

Our goal is to foster cooperation and friendships. The conversations you have and the connections you make are just as important as the skills you build while you’re here. As citizen ambassadors, you’ll teach the Americans you meet about your country and culture. And, you’ll learn from them. Along the way, you’ll expand not only your world, but that of everyone around you.

After you return home, you’ll leave a lasting impact on your hosts—and vice versa. That’s why, as participants, you have a key role to play in our shared future. When we communicate, we can build bridges of understanding between our two
countries, and the people in them.

That’s why programs like these are at the heart of Secretary Clinton’s outreach to people around the world. And that’s why we’re so happy to welcome you to the U.S.

In short: have a great trip. Take advantage of every minute. Ask questions and answer them. And above all, have fun!

If you all have questions, I’d be happy to take them!