Three NGOs inspiring young and old through sport honoured with IOC grant

Worth USD 25,000 each, these development grants are awarded to grassroots organisations running effective sport for all programmes in different regions across the world. The announcement was made as the IOC Sport and Active Society Commission concluded a meeting yesterday in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“Promoting active lifestyles and encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to practise sport lie at the heart of the IOC’s activities,” said Commission Chair and IOC Member Sam Ramsamy. “I am delighted that we can provide support to these three wonderful organisations, which are making a real difference in their local communities.”

Skateboarding to safety and equality in Afghanistan

Skateistan started on the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2008, with the mission to provide Afghan youth with a positive outlet and escape from the realities and stresses of their environment.  Almost 10 years on, the non-governmental organisation has grown to inspire and empower young people – especially girls – aged 5 to 17 through skateboarding and education. Skateistan has gone international, running in Cambodia and South Africa, today reaching thousands of children and young people and promoting a unique youthful community. The IOC grant will enable Skateistan to expand its core programmes in Afghanistan and allow over 1,000 disadvantaged young Afghans – of whom 50 per cent are girls – to access free skateboarding and educational programmes.

Holistic development through Community Sports Programmes

Pro Sport Development (PSD) works at the grassroots by developing and implementing a variety of sports and sports-based programmes for young marginalised and underprivileged Indians in various settings and institutions. Its mission is to help children and young people to have access to sport and grow into confident, healthy and competent individuals. As part of its efforts, PSD also trains sports coaches, teachers and community trainers, and works with institutions to ensure its programmes are run effectively. The development grant will help PSD expand its Community Sports Programme in Eastern India to benefit more young people living in slum settlements through the provision of sports equipment, upgrading sports infrastructure and training coaches.

Because it’s never too late to get active

Help Age International Tanzania is part of a global network or organisations promoting the rights, wellbeing and inclusion of older people. As part of its efforts to support the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases among older people in Tanzania, a growing issue, the non-profit body works with Active Ageing Clubs to promote healthy ageing through inter-generational physical exercise. The goal is to mobilise communities to be active. Help Age International Tanzania is using the IOC’s grant to strengthen its collaboration with and support for the Active Ageing Clubs, to increase participation and inter-generational exchange.

Advocating for sport for all

The development grants were created by the Sport and Active Society Commission to fulfil its mission to encourage people everywhere to participate in regular physical activity and to promote the health and social benefits of sport. The winners were selected by the Sport and Active Society Commission Grants Panel.

The IOC Sport and Active Society Commission works to increase the accessibility of sport as a right for all, and engages with society to build on the sporting legacy of the Olympic Games and other major events, and promote an active lifestyle, especially among young people.