ISLAMABAD: A football tournament for children of four underprivileged community schools was organised to educate them on fostering social cohesion, inclusion and help bring a positive behaviourial change in their communities.

The tournament was organised by Right To Play under an initiative, which using the power of football, is transforming the lives of a selected group of over 1,000 children through essential life skills education.

Six teams of girls and boys (three each) from Mashal Model School, Ayub Park School, Alfirdous Community School and Pehli Kiran School System participated in the two-day educational football tournament. During the event, the children learned the technical skills of football and life skill sessions from the coaches.

The children also presented skits after the matches.

The students from Mashal Model School, Bari Imam, presented a skit carrying placards demanding rights for children such as free education, no child labour, safe environment, love and respect, shelter and health facilities.

A large number of children from different community schools witnessed the tournament. The ground was decorated with banners highlighting the importance of sports and education.

Iqbal Jatoi, the country director Right to Play, told Dawn: “We strongly believe in nurturing and promoting the children and youth through sports and play. We envision a society where rights of all children are realised and protected from violence, exploitation and abuse of all forms.”

The tournament was themed ‘football for education and inclusion.’

Captain national women football team Hajra Khan and Asmara Kiani, a national player, also joined the children. Being a role model, especially for girls, they gave orientation to the children on leadership and life skills.

Hajra Khan told Dawn: “This is a great opportunity for the underprivileged children, especially girls. We didn’t get such an opportunity in our time.

This tournament will boost the confidence level of children and if they continue to learn in this way it is quite possible that these girls would be able to participate at the provincial and national level events.”

She said children would learn the sportsman spirit which helped in everyday life to overcome different challenges. “We can teach children about fair play which motivates us in everyday life to treat others with dignity.”

Kanwal Gulshan from a community school in Meher Abadi, who participated in the tournament, said: “Our coach teaches us different techniques as we haven’t played football before. They teach us how to respect and help each other and we shouldn’t make fun of others.”

Zeba Husain, the director of Mashal Model School, said children in community schools couldn’t afford such activities on their own. She said: “Mostly children in our school are from the IDP families and such tournament and sport activities play a very important role in their social rehabilitation.”

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2017