Let them play: Games for life
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>View discussions about this entry Country: India
Organization: La Giraffa, IFISTS (Indian Federation for Ice Sports and Tobogganing
Sport - Other
Year the initative began (yyyy) - 2006
Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? - A sustainable solution for wholesome development, bridging the rural-urban divide by providing a platform for the upliftment of whole communities.
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field? - The program for sport development described here seeks to introduce a different concept of sport presenting it as an important tool in building the character of an individual, a society and a nation.
The sport development project targets the youth population of India where there are no alternatives for adolescent youth both in terms of educational or co curricular activities. For example, Manali, one of the most popular tourist destinations of India has a population of approximately 20 000 but not a single university! We are targeting the future of India’s most precious natural resource. The uniqueness of the innovation is the idea of using sport for human resource development What are the existing barriers, the biggest problem, your innovation is hoping to address/change? - This Initiative seeks to link the great duality and class divide that exists within India. We shall use sport as a medium of education, exposure, upliftment and modernization of rural India by targeting the 50% of India’s population below 25 years of age. We shall provide a viable alternative the social development of youth providing an opportunity to get off the streets and be educating through sport not only as an ideology but as a palpable means to improve their lives
Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing? - Our implementation model is to work in direct contacts with people at the grass root levels of Indian society through village councils and educational institutions.
The model is to conduct a series of camps or workshops to be conducted by a mobile team. The workshop is a mix of theory, practical classes and games. The participants, will be educated on the ideals of sport, showed videos of sporting realities in various countries and inspired illustrating international levels of competitive sport through participation by a prominent sports persons. The objective of the camp is to identify gifted individuals that may be an asset to the community after a period of training, education and exposure through sport. It is a simple implementation of the Gandhian philosophy of self sufficiency and empowerment of the nation starting from the local communities. How do you plan to grow your innovation? - Each camp will end with a ceremony in which a local society and sports club is formed. These clubs serve the purpose of carrying out personal initiatives in the local communities involving the people and youth of that area.
The program aims to reach out to the largest number of people possible whether directly or indirectly. The workshops will be conducted over a large area and will be accompanied by an awareness campaign. The recurrence of this initiative on a yearly basis will involve an increasing number of people. Ultimately a hierarchy of representatives of each club will be responsible for organizing recurrent events on a larger scale. They also serve as a direct link with our team enabling us to return to the same location and give a sense of continuity to the innovation. A hierarchy of the respective members of clubs reunited in an organization These sports clubs will serve as a meeting point for youth and will be responsible in delegafoca Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. - We are aiming to help the youth to develop an attitude around healthy and mindful lifestyle that will impact the way they choose to spend their time.
What impact has your innovation had to date/or what is your intended impact? Exactly who are the beneficiaries? - The sport development project targets the youth population of rural hilly areas in India where there are no alternatives for adolescent youth both in terms of educational or co curricular activities. Our initiative aims to help create sport as an ideology; channellising energies in a constructive and positive way; a manifestation in attitude, where the youth consciously chooses to lead a healthy and mindful life, not momentarily, but incorporated in his/ her lifestyle. The intended impact is to create an area of gathering for young people
We envision this to be a win-win situation for all. The youth will benefit from being involved in constructive activities and leading healthy lifestyles. Athletes, current and aspiring, will get a platform and opportunities to participate in national or international events. Corporate houses get an area for investment, or even build it within their Corporate Social Responsibility. Overall, this is aimed to benefit the entire human resource of India
Please list any other measures reflective of the impact of your innovation? - The development program will have its desired impact when constructive sport, recreational and educational initiatives take place without external interference or subsidies. The greatest measure of our impact will be how such initiatives help the people help themselves.
We are implementing a model inspired by network marketing in which selected individuals form our development program may contribute, in turn, sustainible development using sport for a better world. What are the main barriers to creating or achieving your impact? - Although we do not foresee any barriers to achieving the desired impact, there are many difficulties we are prepared to face while implementing our model.
The desired impact of self sufficiency will take place only when the sport development events take place recurrently over a period of two to three years. Providing services free of charge diminish the financial inputs How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? - Our initiative will be financed by a combination of factors:
1. Finance from sport management companies: Sport management companies that seek to leverage single events for their personal agenda 2. Business/Corporate finance: We target companies that may have similar goals as ours. 3. Event sponsorship. Depending on how much public outreach an event may have we can seek sponsorships. 4. Sports federations: International sports federations such as the heavily subsidize a training and exposure program for talented young athletes 5. Government support: There are certain schemes under which the govt. of India extends support for sports development 6. Other sources: Sources such as private donations from individuals and small business If known, provide information on your finances and organization. - Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff. •Annual budget:
INR 5 Lakh per annum (US$ 10 000 p.a.) •Annual revenue generated: NON PROFIT ORGANISATION, all the revenue generated to be reinvested in maintenance and for future initiatives. •Number of staff : Full time 2 Part time 5 Volunteer 5 -10 Certain tasks are outsourced to third companies ie. Advertising etc What is the potential demand for your innovation? - We are operating in a new market opportunity scenario during the financial downturn period of the year. It is also a period in which the schools are closed and there is no activity in the hilly areas for youth to occupy their free time. We are not only serving existing demand, but also need to create a demand and serve that. The potential is huge and we have seen interest from individuals (current and aspiring athletes, people with similar ideals), federations and corporates
What are the main barriers to financial sustainability? - Working and seeking to provide opportunity free of cost, for the upliftment of the underprivileged and marginalised.
Battling against India companies who lack the perspective of corporate social responsibility and often spend millions in superficial advertising rather than seeking a publicity through long term and substantial investments in sports or community building activities. The sustainability of a solution for social development through sport, not as stand-alone, but as long term What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story. - I was born in a remote village in the Himalayas counting 500 inhabitants at 2500mts altitude with neither the luxury of electricity nor running water.
I was noticed by a talent scout, an ex world champion, who recruited me for what then seemed the most peculiar sport: Luge. It was my destiny through sport that allowed me to get a good education and travel the world. Today, after setting world records and winning the first medals for India and I am back at my native village, aware that so many youngsters could have been in my place. This is the origin of the innovation; The wish to share the opportunity. A chance to go where I have gone, to learn what I have learnt and most importantly to bring back a piece of this experience, a bit of this knowledge with the hope that these ideals may create a better world Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material. - Name:Shiva Keshavan
Date of Birth: August 25, 1981 Education:The Lawrence School, Sanawar, Humanities. University of Florence, Italy Political Science (BA), International Relations (MA) 3 Time Winter Olynpian, Nagano '98, Salt Lake Ctiy '02, Torino '06 Silver medalist (doubles), Bronze Madalist (Singles) Asia '05-'06 Youngest ever Olympian (Luge) First ever participant and medalist from India in winter sports Contact Information:
Shiva Keshavan
Founder and Director La Giraffa, IFISTS (Indian Federation for Ice Sports and Tobogganing (NGO, Sport Development Organisation) Discussions about this entry |
Hi Shiva,
I was searching for few articles on net and came across this. I must say u have inspired me a lot..I m doin my Masters in Rural Development and preparing a project.. I was touched by your work in ur native village.
Keep up the goood work...
Happy New Year...
Indira Vaddi
Delhi
dear indira
thanks for the words,
do keep me updated on your projects
good luck!
shiva
Hi Shiva,
Your programme sounds very interesting and winter sport tends to get so much attention at the gassroots level. I like your commiment to creating opportunities for children in your region.
I'm especially interested in the ceremony you mentioned, that takes place at the start of each camp to form a sports club in the area to continue to grow your innovation in each place. In my experience at such intial meetings, everyone is excited and wants to be involved but sometimes not much action happens afterwards. How are the sports clubs working out in your region and have you faced an obstacles so far?
I'm also keen to know if there are many children with disabilities in these regions? Have you come across any so far at your camps?
Best of luck with this project!
Regards,
Jackie
Jackie Lauff
Free University Berlin
University Challenge
sorry for not replying earlier ....
the first of our luge development program will kick off on the 10th (jan)
there is tremendous interest on the part of the kids and the whole village community ,, the local deities are attending and patronising the event.
hope the hype continues well after the inauguration .. the important thing is everyone has fun and we transmit the ideology.
I have not come across many disable children in the area we are operating. I have not taken that into account but good that you brought it to notice.
Good luck to everyone .. I'm not looking for free trips to conferences but a helping hand where it matters most ;)
hope 2008 brings joy and light to all.
Shiva
I lilked you concept and idea..
cheers
Anand
thnks ;)
Dear Stephanie,
Thank you for your interest. The opportunity of traveling and documenting the initiatives of sport for a better world would be a great experience for you not to mention the people who will watch your film.
We operate in close contact with remote rural communities where there are fundamental defferences in the mind set and perception of the people on basic main stream issues much as sport and sustainable devlopment.
Our principle area of work is in the Himalayas, starting from Kullu valley known as the valley of the gods. It is an important area in the history-mithology of India and in the formation of the Vedic culture.
Do keep me updated with your intentions. I can send you further details on the initiative that are not on the changemakers site due to space restrictions.
I will be happy to organise an interesting and instructive trip for you!
All the best!
Shiva
I love the image of rural kids tobagganing and learning about snow sports like Luge. I assuming you are talking about those sports because of the title -- what sports do you plan on using and why? how are you planning to get girls to participate?
heather Cameron
boxgirls roadwork (and passionate "crazy carpeter"/tobaggon rider from Canada)
Dear Cameron,
Thanks for you comment! You are right in assuming Luge and tobogganing sports to be our main instruments for involving youngsters. In fact we shall not only be using conventional sport but also adaptations to suit our environment.
Sledging is easy as much as it is fun and it can be practiced by any age group. You will be interested to know that we have a tradition of roller luge in north India! I will upload some photos to show some peculiar forms of sports practiced here! We want our initiative to be as enjoyable as educational and for that we begin with sports the locals identify with.
Involving girls is most important since traditionally they are kept at home and learn the household work from a very early age. We do emphasise on girl children at the village council meetings and send personal letters home. We did have a 30% turnout of girls in our last initiatives and they have become quite famous! I hope that their strength and dedication helps other families to allow their children to participate. Experience shows that girls learn much faster as well!
Shiva