Sports for Social Inclusion

Isha Foundation

•an international, non-religious, not-for-profit public service organization,

•dedicated to nurture and help every being attain its ultimate potential through individual transformation by addressing all aspects of human wellbeing .

•Isha activities are designed to create an inclusive culture that is the basis of global peace and development.

•This integral approach has gained worldwide recognition –reflected in its Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.

Sports and Community games Vision:

We envision a society where people full of joy and enthusiasm become actors in the transformation of their communities.

Mission:

We teach sports and community games to promote social bonding beyond caste, creed, religion or economic status and to encourage gender equity and leadership attitude within the community

Goals:

To establish a network of local motivated trained sport coaches

To introduce health awareness programs and yoga classes including games

To form male and female sport teams and provide them weekly coaching session

To support the happenings of tournaments from village to state level organized by community leaders

Rural Community Challenges

• Exclusion of women due to cultural inhibition

• Caste barriers within the community

• No culture of sport practice

• Loss of traditional practice of community games

• Addiction of women and children to TV, and addiction of men to card games, alcohol and smoking

Methodology

Meeting the village influential

people

Introducing Games through yoga Programs

Organizing sports teams

Coaching the teams

Inter-Panchayat & district level Tournaments

Rural Olympics/ Gramotsav

Strategy Isha Rural Yoga programs (Inner Engineering Program)

• rejuvenate the individual and foster trust • raise awareness of a better way of living • Introduction to game practices

Sport Coach – in charge for • Weekly coaching of sport practice • Initiate organization of inter village tournaments

Volunteer team Leader – in charge for • Continuity of games • Play-ground maintenance and sport equipments

Impacts

Individual Level

• Improvement in conflict resolution & problem solving skills

• Development of leadership skills and attitude

Community Level

• Increasing receptivity for development programs

Improvement of health and reduction of addictions

Mr.Magudesh Aged:40 Thottipalayam

He began drinking alcohol at the age of 16 to forget his burdens. He would consume alcohol and smoke a pack of cigarettes almost every day as the only way to relax the mind. But he knew it was not good for his health. He is an agricultural laborer. All his earnings were spent on alcohol, leaving wife and family with almost nothing.

AYUSH-Isha’s Fitness and Yoga team trained Vijayakumar in yoga and volleyball. With regular visits and counseling on de-addiction by the project team, Vijayakumar was encouraged to practice yoga and play volleyball.

Mr.Vijayakumar, 26 yr old,

Vilaram village, Devanur Panchayat

His wife Thayamma, aged 23, now feels happy that her husband doesn’t drink, and goes to work regularly. She thanked the AYUSH-Isha team for transfarming the life of her husband and the family now enjoys their reputation in the village.

Improvement in family and social relationships

Enhanced self-esteem and empowerment especially among women

Mrs.Kala Aged: 28, Athani, Gobichettipalayam

School Sharing Due to the hilly terrain, no sports and games activities were conducted in the school. When Isha organized games like Kho-Kho and Kabadi. The children developed great enthusiasm in games. Interschool competition were also organized which witness the high spirit of children. The AEO of the area exclaimed that he never expected that their children could portray such enthusiasm and skills in sports and games.

Development of individual skills

Fostering united community spirit beyond gender, caste, social and economic differences

Mr.Senthilkumar Aged:39 Athani, Gobichettipalayam

Real Inclusion

Achievements since 2003

Villages reached 2,463

Rural Isha Yoga program participants 150,000

Volley ball & throw ball teams 852

Number of players ~ 10,200

District level tournaments 27

State level rural sports festival (Gramotsav) 4

Gramotsav participants ~ 1,200,000

“Wanting to win, at the same time, willing to lose if need be; handling your victory gracefully, handling your failure gracefully

are things that sport inculcates into a human being.”

-Sadhguru