In the heart of Kapadvanj, Gujarat, at Shri Maneklal Desai Kishor Mandir school, a transformative tale unfolded on the open playgrounds. Humayun, a quiet fifth-grader, caught the attention of Kalpana, a dedicated fellow at the Sports for Transformation Fellowship (SfT Fellowship). Even after attending every physical education class, Humayun remained on the sidelines, disengaged from the activities and games. His reluctance to participate raised questions for Kalpana, who sought to unravel the mystery behind this child’s apparent aversion to sports.
Approaching Humayun with genuine curiosity and empathy, Kalpana extended a simple invitation. Taking his hand in hers, she walked a few steps and then asked, “Do you want to run with me?” Surprisingly, Humayun agreed, and together they embarked on a short run. This small gesture became a catalyst for change. Observing Humayun’s newfound confidence, Kalpana enlisted the help of one of his friends to run with him. Gradually, the once-passive observer started to actively participate in games, shedding his reservations. It became evident that the key to unlocking Humayun’s potential lay in fostering a sense of comfort and inclusion in physical activities.
This transformative experience was part of the Sports for Transformation Fellowship, a groundbreaking initiative in Kapadvanj, Gujarat. The fellowship, spanning over two years, is intricately designed to unite passionate youth in leveraging the power of sports for positive societal transformation. With diverse backgrounds and immersive hands-on experiences, fellows actively engage with children from various groups, including pre-primary grades, primary grades, and children with disabilities.
The fellowship goes beyond on-ground experiences, incorporating capacity development activities such as exposure visits and guest lectures by experts in the field. This multifaceted approach aims to build a comprehensive understanding of sports for development within the broader context of the development sector.
But why engage with children through sports? The answer lies in recognizing “play as the first form of learning for every child” as emphasized by Stuart Brown in his popular book Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. When placed within the school ecosystem, play can enhance developmental outcomes in education, health, and gender equality. The National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 acknowledges the significance of sports, breaking down the traditional divide between academic and extracurricular activities.
Play, as a tool for growth, has far-reaching benefits. It positively influences attendance rates, classroom behavior, and academic results. The NEP envisions sports and play being taught and evaluated with the same rigor as core academic subjects, fostering physical and mental growth in tandem. The integration of sports into instructional methods is seen as a means to improve students’ overall well-being, creating lifelong attitudes toward fitness, cooperation, self-initiative, teamwork, and accountability.
In the vast landscape of the development sector, fellowships have emerged as a significant trend. The Sports for Transformation Fellowship is no exception, seeking to contribute to the larger goal of nurturing physically active citizens throughout the country. As the story of Humayun illustrates, a simple gesture of inclusion can unlock a child’s potential, setting the stage for a lifetime of physical activity and holistic development.
The application for the Sports For Transformation Fellowship for batch 2024-26 is now open. If you share your passion with ours and aspire to make a difference in society using sports as a tool, we welcome your application. Visit our website and join the movement!