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‘Sports for Peace’ Project in Tripura, India

Peace Dream and United Initiatives for Peace - 9^th to 13^th November 2008

The ‘Sports for Peace’ program by Peace Dream Foundation in Agartala was the first program of its kind ever held in the state of Tripura. It created tremendous impact in the entire state of Tripura as the leading newspapers of the state gave coverage to the program.

Sports for Peace Project 1:

Tripura Sports Council Complex: 9-10 November 2008

The Peace Dream/UIP project started in the second half of the day at the Tripura Sports Council Complex, Agartala. Mr. Kamal Saha, the secretary of the Tripura Sports Council, who was chaired the brief inaugural ceremony, welcomed Ms. Seidel on behalf of the Tripura Sports Council. Fr. Joseph Pulinthanath SDB introduced Ms. Seidel and Mr. Shine Jose, the Director of Youth & Sports (UPF) to the gathering and also welcomed them on behalf of Peace Centre, Agartala, and the local organizers of the project.

The Sports Council of the State had brought twenty girl players from various subdivisions of the state to take part in the Basket Ball program. The project which continued until the evening of 10^th, focused on playing skills in basket ball as well as various exercises that elicited from the participants various lessons they could learn for life from basket Ball. They were asked to list the importance and relevance of six pillars of character both in the game and in life.

The young students also drew a map of and explain their dream country, the ideal place where everything they desire for exists. The final exercise consisted in the students writing down their Mission statement for life. The participants found the program to be very enjoyable as the methodology adapted by the resource person was very simple and appealing to the youth.

For the first time, Sampari Hukumu Bodol (Sampari Cultural Center) was able to reach out to the State Sports Council and a forge a constructive friendship which we are sure will result in many collaborative projects in future especially in the field of Sports for Peace.

Coaching Tips for Coaches

On request from the Secretary of the Tripura Sports Council, Ms. Seidel spent a few minutes with the Coaches of Basket Ball in the state. Ms. Seidel adequately answered to their queries with regard to techniques of the game. The coaches thanked Ms. Seidel for the help.

Concluding Meeting with the Members of the Tripura Sports Council

At the end of the first program at Tripura Sports Complex, Ms. Seidel held an informal session with the officials of the Tripura Sports Council. They discussed with her the problems and possibilities in the state with regard to promotion of sports and games. They also expressed their happiness and thanks at her initiative to improve the standard of sports in the tiny state of Tripura and thereby to contribute towards peace and progress of its peoples.

Meeting with the Youth & Sports Minister, Hon. Jitendra Choudhury

On the evening of 10^th November, Ms. Seidel and Mr. Shine called on the Cabinet Minister of the State, Hon. Jitendra Choudhury. Hon. Choudhury expressed his happiness about the program of Peace Dreama and invited Diesa to have courses of longer duration in the state. Ms. Seidel & Mr. Shine Jose spoke to the Minister about IPSF and the possibilities of sportspersons from Tripura taking part in future editions of IPSF 2010.

Sports for Peace Program 2:

Don Bosco Peace Centre - Sampari Hukumu Bodol Complex: 11-12 November 2008

The Second ‘Sports for Peace’ project was held at the premises of Don Bosco Peace Centre, which also houses the office of Sampari Hukumu Bodol. For coaching purposes, the Basket Ball grounds of Don Bosco School were used. In all 18 girl players chosen from different villages of Tripura participated in the program. The participants came from notable backward areas of the state and belonged to the tribal communities of Tripura. Most of them were also school dropouts that had no possibility of pursuing further education. Despite being beginners at basketball, the participants found the program greatly beneficial to them.

The character-building exercises like charting out one’s ideal country and writing one’s Mission Statement for Life were done and the participants found them enjoyable. The program also helped the village girls to gain much confidence and ability to come forward. They have also developed a taste for the game of Basketball and continue to practice the game ever since.

Ms. Seidel donated nine basketballs to the local organizers to be distributed among poor and deserving institutions that encourage basketball.

The participants of the second program held at Peace Centre premises comprised entirely of school drop out girls who had given up all hopes of pursuing any field of excellence – academic and non-academic. The Sports for Peace program has given them immense boost to their confidence and will power to continue engaging in activities they feel competent, although that may not include any academic career. This is very significant in the context of the acute sense of inferiority and diffidence that such drop-out girls are victims of. The sports for Peace program brought them out of their cocoon like existence in remote villages and once again restored their belief in themselves. In other words, they have been made to feel significantly that they are not powerless and helpless, but possess the wherewithal to engage in life constructively and to provide leadership in their village set ups.

Basket Ball has been introduced to the second group of participants with this program. During the days of the program, they picked up Basket Ball skills considerably. They see the game of basket ball as a new opportunity for them to become more dynamic and enthusiastic persons.

Addressing the Students of City Schools

Ms. Diesel accepted the invitation of the Principals of Don Bosco Schools and Holy Cross Schools to address their students for a while. She addressed the Assembly of Don Bosco Students and then interacted with the higher class students for about one hour. The same was done at Holy Cross School, Agartala on the 12^th. The students were very eager to interact with Ms. Seidel and asked her a variety of questions all of which she responded to in her characteristic simple and humorous manner. Ms. Seidel also spoke about the work of Peace Dream Foundation and the United Initiatives for Peace and their mission to youth through sports. The students did greatly enjoy the session.

Conclusion

The idea of using the playground and the game itself as a forum to reflect on life and one’s mission in life was entirely new to every participant and also to Sampari Hukumu Bodol (SHB), the local organizer. SHB intends to take this methodology forward and introduce it to the SHB units it has in the villages.

We are ever grateful to Peace Dream Foundation and to Diesa Seidel for introducing to us ‘another world’ and another methodology in our struggle towards lasting peace

Peace Centre and Sampari Hukumu Bodol are very grateful to Peace Dream Foundation and to Mr. Shine Jose for organizing this program here in Agartala. It has been an inspiring initiative and an eye-opener for us that there are very many creative ways of peace building than the ones we have been engaged in.

We are ever grateful to Peace Dream Foundation and to Diesa Seidel for introducing to us ‘another world’ and another methodology in our struggle towards lasting peace

We thank Ms. Seidel for the wonderful way in which she endeared herself to her students. She has been an inspiration to them all. We hope we will, in future, get to be part of more such programs. Thanks.

by Fr. Joseph Pulinthanath SDB

Posted on 10 Dec 2008 by Reporter