KARACHI: “Sports and play have always been considered as an extra-curricular activity in schools but now due to ‘Right to Play’s interventions in districts of Sindh, it has become an integral part of the educational curriculum and is considered as a co-curricular activity,” said Ghulam Mustafa Soomro, District Education Officer, Umerkot speaking at the day-long Sindh Sports Mela held at Right To Play’s district office grounds.
The purpose of the Mela was to create an opportunity for thousands of children to learn the importance of sports and play in their lives and take part in various sporting activities amidst a traditional setting. The event witnessed the participation of 5000 children from 40 UNICEF Child-Friendly Schools based in Umerkot, 10 private schools, 12 government boys schools from three districts of Sindh and also saw the presence of government officials, members from fellow Not-for-Profit organizations like HANDS, Sami Foundation, Children’s Global Network (CGN), Right To Play District Coordinators, parents and teachers from schools and community members. During the day long Sports Mela, activities such a re-modified Table-Tennis, Balancing the Ball, Balloon Race, Badminton, tableaus and traditional song and dance performances by children were some of the highlights which saw the highest participation of children. A Sports Quiz was also held for the children and the winners were presented gifts by the District Education Officer.
Towards the culmination of the event, Ratan Salem, Right To Play Provincial Programme Coordinator thanked the children, teachers, headmistresses and community members for actively participating in the Mela and making it a grand success. She said: “We believe in the complete holistic development of children and feel that sports and studies go hand in hand to make a child a successful individual and we aspire to reach out to many more children across districts of Sindh in the future to come.” Right To Play is a leading international humanitarian and development organization using the transformative power of sport and play to build essential skills in children and thereby, drive social change in communities affected by war, poverty and disease. Right to Play creates a safe place for children to learn and fosters the hope that is essential for children to envision and realise a better future. Our work is guided by the United Nations Convention of Rights on the Rights of a Child. – Dailytimes
