We Support
Sports
SPORTSMANSHIP MATTERS
In 2009 we distributed a load of sporting equipment around the villages (soccer balls, cricket bats/balls, etc.). We now have a system where all the secondary schools, sports clubs, or associations up to an hour away can register a team. If they can come to us, and show some professional association, that they have come together as a club, we provide annual support (usually equipment).
This program has proven to be popular – almost too popular. One year, hundreds of people arrived at the local orphanage looking to receive equipment and were banging at the gate – it was almost a safety issue! We learned a lot from that, and now – to avoid that chaos repeating and to increase overall security – only three representatives per club are allowed to come pick up the items.
In 2016 we decided to host a sports tournament to give all the clubs a chance to come together, and win some prizes. There are prizes for the winners, or course, but we wanted to make sure that everybody went home with at least a soccer ball, or some other small token of participation. There are no other tournaments in Bangladesh that give out prizes for losing teams.
This has evolved into a huge, three-day event now, and we work hard to ensure that it is fun, and safe. It has definitely highlighted soccer and fitness in the communities, and it is great to see the enthusiasm of the participants.
This program goes beyond sports. We can have a conversation about lifestyle on the basis of, “Do you want to be a better athlete? Then cut back on some of the things impacting your health and performance”. Whenever we are there we have messaging to remind players that this is a sport that’s supposed to make them a better citizen in the community. We are against drugs, smoking of any kind, fighting, even chocolate if you want to get down to the real athletic discipline. The element of community, and having something to do and somewhere to go that can be exciting, inspirational, productive, safe, and also healthy is important. It invites them to gear up and train for the next year, to do something and aspire to be more in something accessible.
In 2009 we played our first village soccer match at another village. Someone fouled our founder hard, and it was very obvious kick. The ref rightfully gave a yellow card, and the guy on the other team got so mad he went and started strangling the ref… who then hit back, with support and it turned into a brawl. We ran away, taking off our shirts and putting plain ones on, and cut through some bushes to get away. It turned into a cyclone of violence. People have said that “violence is part of the game” as a culture that exists there, but we won’t tolerate it on our teams. We have spent a long time with our players, eating with them, sitting with them, playing, teaching… just to reinforce the values, because they are super important. It ties into participating in good values, positive culture, and making sure that we’re doing the right things for the right reasons.
It’s largely a men’s sport, and competitive, so things will get heated, but we’ve got to keep playing – move on. Some of our players were real hotheads. We had talented players in those villages, and over the years it is helping the teenagers and men in their early 20s to develop. They learn that physical violence is not an option, we have zero tolerance. We are very proud that our played know they can calm down, sub out, or make a decision with the captain to leave the field. Forfeit – take the L instead of getting involved in scraps. We promote and model the values of handing issues with respect and working things out instead of it becoming a free for all.