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We are truly lucky to have the opportunity, the chance to play sports as per our will and to learn so many things from them. Some of us, who worked really hard for it, even got the chance to take it up as a profession. Sport is not just about winning or losing, it’s not just about playing; it’s much more than that. It is a kind of an education system which teaches us things that even books can’t. The power of sport is such that it can make this world a better place for you and for me and the entire human race. There is so much to learn from each and every sport. Without any doubt, sport is one of the most essential elements for an individual’s survival. Unfortunately, many people never get to have any kind of interaction with any recognized sports. Pity!
Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child states: “We should recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.”
Many kids in some parts of the world are forced to do some kind of work so that they can earn some money or, at times, some kids are put up for sale. Many are introduced to the evil things of the society like robbery and begging and trafficking and drug-dealing and the worst possible things out there.
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You must wondering what does this have to do with sport, right? Well, since you and I are not doing anything for those not-so-fortunate kids, UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) has taken an initiative called ‘Sports for Development’ (S4D) in collaboratation with Futbol Club de Barcelona(FCB) and International Inspiration(II). It believes that with the help of sport, those not-so-fortunate kids can learn values and lessons that will last a life time.
What is S4D?
As given on its site, UNICEF believes that sports can be an effective programmatic tool to help achieve goals in health, education, gender equality, HIV/AIDS, child protection and their development. And so, they came up with the concept of S4D. They promote friendship and fair play. They teach kids how to fight against difficulties they are going to face in life, basic leadership qualities and to fight social evils existing in the society. As a part of their ethic, the able kids and the disabled kids are made to play together. And now, the perspective has changed and the disabled children are seen as differently abled.
F.C. Barcelona and UNICEF-
F.C. Barcelona and UNICEF got into a contract. According to the contract, FC Barcelona would donate 1.5 million euros annually to UNICEF and implement, as a unit, projects based on providing education to kids through sport. As a part of the agreement, UNICEF will spend a proportion of the money donated annually by the Fundación del FC Barcelona on supporting the programs and projects agreed in the plan of activities that they will draw up every year as long as the contract lasts. These programs have been benefiting the most vulnerable children on the planet, mainly in Africa, Asia and Latin America with a special focus on children affected by HIV/AIDS and other children in situations of exploitation or at risk of social exclusion. Not just that, they’ll teach kids basic education and equality. They, along with few FC Barcelona players, have been teaching those kids the importance of team work, discipline, leadership values, fairness and respect for others with the help of football. UNICEF promotes and encourages a child’s rights to play and learn, and FC Barcelona supports such efforts.
International Inspiration and UNICEF-
International Inspiration uses the power of sport, physical education and play to transform and develop the lives of millions of children of all abilities in not-so-affluent schools and communities in 20 countries across the world. UNICEF collaborated with International Inspiration and, as a result, saved more than 1,50,000 lives by teaching children survival swimming in the flood-prone Bangladesh. This is one of the many great things their collaboration has pursued. The goals are simple. They want the kids to be enriched, to get educated, and most importantly, they want them to have a “better future”. And they believe that all this can be achieved with the help of sports. Together, they have enriched the lives of more than 12 million young people around the world. In fact, more than 12 million young people and children and, as a result, many of them had their very 1st interaction with sports in their lives.
..because sports can give a lost, uneducated, malnourished kid some hope..
