Picture this – a group of youngsters in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, not just mastering sport skills but also navigating the playground of life with newfound confidence, resilience, and determination. Welcome to the world of Pro Sport Development (PSD), where sport isn’t just about winning games – it’s about winning in life.
PSD, a social enterprise established in 2013, has been at the forefront of using sport as a catalyst for the holistic development of young people in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Moving away from conventional classroom learning, at PSD, the playground is the ultimate classroom, and the lessons go beyond textbooks. A place where young people are not just engaged in sport but are equipped to be confident, competent, and gender-sensitive leaders within their communities.
Committed to empowering young people, PSD’s initiatives focus on physical fitness, confidence-building, soft skill development, values education, and addressing issues such as gender inequality, adolescent health, hygiene, and child rights.
As this year draws to a close, we take a moment and reflect on the programs being implemented by PSD, shaping the journeys of young people with a focus on holistic development.
Community Sports Program (CSP)
PSD’s flagship program, the Community Sports Program (CSP), has been making a significant impact since its inception in 2015. Geared towards young people aged 5 to 16 years, living in slum settlements and underserved communities, the CSP is a testament to PSD’s dedication to the promotion of holistic development.
The current (2023-23) cohort, which comprises 887 participants (47% female, 53% male), is being implemented with support from Coaches Across Continent, Global Fund for Children, and the Woodstock cycling team across 8 community schools in Bhubaneshwar.
Thus far, the 2023-24 CSP cohort has witnessed a total of 568 sessions, spanning 23 themes. These sessions have underscored crucial soft skills and values, including leadership, communication, teamwork, self-esteem, fairplay, respect, and equality among others. Furthermore, the program has delved into other significant topics such as adolescent health, hygiene, nutrition, consent, menstruation, and child rights.
As part of the CSP, a mixed-gender netball tournament was organized on December 3, 2023, in Dumduma, Bhubaneswar. With 144 participants, comprising 84 females and 60 males, the event went beyond mere competition, emphasizing the values of teamwork, resilience, and gender inclusivity.
Beyond the competitive arena, trainers noted a significant surge in physical activity levels among participants, indicating a widespread adoption of a more active lifestyle. This increased engagement in physical activity has led to notable improvements in participants’ comfort levels and interpersonal interactions, particularly across different genders. Additionally, participants have reported enhanced self-esteem and confidence, particularly in sports-related activities.
A class 7, female participant from Rama Krishna Sikshya Kendra shared her experience about her participation in the CSP:
“Participating in sport has been a highly enriching experience. While in school, our athletic activities were limited to playing football. However, after the introduction of CSP, we have been exposed to various sports. Previously, boys and girls played in separate groups, but now we engage in sport together. Taking part in a mixed-gender netball tournament was particularly enjoyable.”
The collaborative atmosphere cultivated by the CSP, not only enriches the overall experience for participants but also aligns with the program’s overarching goal of promoting holistic development.
Community Cricket Program (CCP)
PSD has been engaging with young people through another program – The Community Cricket Program (CCP). Started in October 2022, this mixed-gender initiative targets young people aged 13 to 16 years, utilizing cricket as a tool for empowerment. The CCP leverages the power of cricket to build participants’ technical, physical, and life skills, along with developing their understanding of child rights.
The 2022-23 cohort, supported by The Upamanyu Mallik Initiatives, Ace Sports, and Grant Thornton Bharat, witnessed the participation of a total of 38 participants (20 male, 18 female) from 4 community schools in Bhubaneshwar.
Beyond the program sessions, the inaugural “The Upamanyu Mallik Cricket Tournament” was held in Bharatpur, Bhubaneswar on August 20, 2023. Featuring six teams with a total of 36 participants, the tournament honored the memory of Upamanyu Mallik, showcasing the enduring influence of a remarkable individual and cricket enthusiast.
The highlight of the program was when eight of the CCP participants made their mark on the international stage by participating in the second edition of the Street Child Cricket World Cup (SSCWC) in Chennai, India, from September 21 to October 2, 2023. Beyond the cricket matches, they engaged in various events such as the youth congress, arts festival, and cultural celebrations, enriching their overall experience.
To aid the participants’ preparation for the SCCWC, PSD, and TUMI also organized a five-day exposure visit to New Delhi from the 14-19th June 2023, for the selected eight participants. As part of the trip, participants got to attend sessions on gender and child rights, play at lush green outfields, visit the historical treasures of New Delhi, watch a live cricket match for the first time, and taste the delicacies of the city.
With the help of program sessions and other activities, the CCP participants have been able to make significant progress across various domains, including cricket skills, soft skills, and values education. Additionally, there was a heightened development of leadership capabilities, an improved understanding of gender, and an increased awareness of child rights.
Talking about her experience, a female participant of class 8, from Beena Bharti Vidya Mandir, Bharatpur, said:
“I used to love to [watch] cricket but I never got the chance to play it. After participating in the program, I got a chance to play. It feels very good when boys and girls play together – the boys support us in the game. We have not only learned cricket but also learned about teamwork & self-esteem.”
Moving forward, the 2023-24 cohort of CCP, which started in December 2023, with 50 participants (25 male, 25 female), will use a carefully designed cricket-for-development curriculum, focusing on leadership, and child rights. Additionally, four young people from the upcoming cohort will now act as cricket ambassadors, supporting the program delivery.
In partnership with KickOff Solutions, PSD has been actively running the Youth Scholarship Program since 2021. This initiative is tailored to empower young girls hailing from marginalized slum communities in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, through the provision of avenues for both leadership development and sports participation. The program plays a pivotal role by offering essential support through capacity building, mentorship, and financial assistance for education and personal expenses.
The current cohort for the academic year 2023-24 comprises three peer leaders. These individuals, who were previously involved in PSD programs as participants, were carefully chosen based on their demonstrated leadership qualities, passion for sports, confidence levels, and overall performance in other PSD programs.
PSD provides the scholars with an opportunity to act as peer leaders, actively supporting the PSD team in delivering sports-based sessions and other program activities in different community schools. Notably, the peer leaders played a crucial role in organizing the mixed-gender netball tournament held in December 2023, providing them with practical learning experiences in leading young people and other program activities.
Reflecting on the mixed-gender netball tournament, one of the peer leaders, 18, expressed:
“I harbored a strong desire to connect with PSD, and now, as a peer leader with PSD, I find immense satisfaction. The netball tournament marked my inaugural participation as a peer leader, where my roles were clearly defined, with a focus on first aid. Being part of the event enlightened me about the responsibilities of organizers. It was a delightful experience to engage actively in the event alongside so many children.”
PSD’s 10-year Anniversary Celebration
The year 2023 marked the celebration of PSD’s 10th anniversary in Bhubaneswar with a Khel Mela at Beena Bharati Vidya Mandir School, Bharatpur on 17th September 2023. Attended by 436 participants, from various schools, the event showcased the organization’s decade-long impact through fun sport-based activities modeled on traditional melas or fairs.
A male participant of Rama Krishna Siksha Kendra School in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, talking about his experience at the Khel Mela said:
“This is the first time that I played such innovative and fun games at an event. I enjoyed playing and interacting with students from different schools.”
The event was also attended by officials from esteemed organizations like Gram Vikas, YCDA, and Odisha FC, as well as the Deputy Mayor of Bhubaneswar, Manjulata Kanhar, who commended PSD’s efforts in the field of sports, as she shared:
“PSD is doing really great work in the field of sports. It made me happy to learn about how they help their participants and the youth in communities across Bhubaneswar to be mentally, physically, and socially active through sports.”
The celebration not only reminisced about the past but also outlined the organization’s vision for the next decade, reaffirming its commitment to harnessing the power of sport and physical activity for sustainable development.
The way forward
As the new year approaches, PSD remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering the young people of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, through innovative sport-based programs. The current cohorts, having made significant strides in the past year, are ready to carry forward its mission with renewed vigor and purpose.
A key highlight of the upcoming year will be the continued implementation of the programs and associated activities, with a special emphasis on gender sensitization. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity and diversity, PSD will continue to foster gender awareness and equality among the participants to create socially responsible leaders who understand and appreciate the value of gender equality.
In addition to enhancing the educational content of our programs, PSD is committed to strengthening parent interactions within the initiative. By facilitating increased engagement and collaboration with parents, the program aims to create a supportive ecosystem that amplifies the positive impact on the young participants.
The programs initiated by PSD in Bhubaneswar have become instrumental in fostering holistic development, emphasizing the transformative power of sport in shaping confident, competent, and gender-sensitive leaders. The way forward is marked by a commitment to inclusivity, community engagement, and the relentless pursuit of positive youth development.