'Sport and play for peace programme' launched

Right To Play in collaboration with Karachi Youth Initiative on Monday launched its 'Sport and Play for Peace Program' in Karachi which will work with government schools using sport and play based methodology. Addressing a news conference at Karachi Press Club, Provincial Co-ordinator of the Right To Play, Ratan Sahlam said that sport was universally acknowledged as a powerful tool for social development and bringing communities together.
Sharing the objectives of the program, she noted that program is to provide sport and play access for government school children in some of the troubled areas in Karachi. She said that program was officially started with a training workshop for 33 local youth as trainers on March 18, 2012 in Karachi.
"These young trainers will implement Right To Play's program in schools by working closely with children and youth", she added. She said the program aiming at making a school a child-friendly place with the introduction of play-based activities, making it attractive for children to attend.
"Important values including tolerance, respect, leadership, co-operation would be inculcated and internalised in the children to help them becoming better citizens," she informed. In its pilot phase, she said the program would work with 65 government schools in the areas of Lyari town, Korangi town and Kemari town and reach out to over 12,000 children and youth.
"With structured sport and play methodology, Right To Play trainers will engage children in play based learning activities, which are equipped to inculcate basic life skills in them such as resilience, hope, co-operation, teamwork and peaceful co-existence," she added.
Ratan said that the program would also engage community youth and sport leagues, using sport as a tool for development and community cohesion, adding that young athletes from said areas of Karachi would be trained on Sport for Development resource of Right To Play. The program will also train government school teachers in Karachi building their capacity in play based learning approach and activity based teaching methodology.
The program will also arrange summer camps and Play Days based on important international and local themes for children in schools and community. Ali Khayam, Communication Co-ordinator was of the view that a diverse group of youth would be drawn to a common platform through this program where their capacities are developed and important life skills inculcated. The youth will also be engaged in a dialogue of peace and peaceful co-existence. Right To Play is the leading international humanitarian and development organisation using sport and play as tools to effect behaviour and social change.