That's The Way: Making Kids Socially Active Through Sports

NEW DELHI: Back in 2003, Afak Khan saw some children roller-skating in a park near his house. Coming from a not so well-off family, the then six-year-old dreamt of learning the sport despite knowing he will not have the money for it. Khan participates at the national level, thanks to social support.

"When I saw those kids skating in the park, I was driven by a strong urge to learn the sport. I somehow saved my pocket money and purchased a pair of secondhand skates from a scrap dealer. Thus began my journey to the skating rink," Khan, now 16, told.

Khan is one among many children who are being taught social values and life skills through the medium of sports.

"Sport is a well-researched, universal tool for social development and has the potential to cut across boundaries and break barriers of religion, caste and colour and unify people regardless of how rich or poor they may be," Chetan Misra, founder of Delhi-based The Football Link NGO, said.

"Playing sports gives children valuable qualities such as confidence, being socially forward and helps develop their personality to make them well-rounded individuals. Sport is also a powerful tool to teach social issues and moral values through a fun and entertaining activity," he added.

The Football Link, a coaching institution, teaches children social issues such as women's empowerment, how to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases and gender equality.

"Through partnerships with various international organizations, we conduct "Coach the Coaches" workshops where local coaches are taught international techniques of football for social development, increasing child interaction and social inclusion," Misra added.

Agreed Franz Gastler, founder of Yuwa India, which uses football to empower girls in India.

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