The Power of Play

BC frankearl from Cranbrook , February 15, 2010

The Olympic spirit is nominally one of fair play, sportsmanship, community, and peace. Too often we forget what these words’ meanings in the midst of the competition and the medal standings. Johann Koss, Norwegian speed skater and Olympic gold medalist, has not forgotten. He started an organization, with the help of Stephen Lewis, in 1994, to bring sports, and the spirit of sportsmanship, to the most underprivileged places all over the world. His organization – Right to Play – now reaches into twenty three countries in the poorest regions of our world. Many thousands have been touched by this man’s vision, as a small army of volunteers and celebrated athletes join forces to train local coaches, and ensure children’s right to play across the globe. Through the medium of sports, information is passed, and lessons taught that could not be communicated in any other way. Critical knowledge, like the nature of HIV and AIDS, and lessons like equality, community, and inclusion are being passed on to these children in an exciting and engaging manner. Few organizations can boast greater accomplishments, or more smiles, than Right to Play – proving that sports truly can be the force for good we always said it was, and the expression of human dignity it was always meant to be.

Johann Koss tells of a time before Right to Play, when he brought thirteen tons of sport equipment to a country whose president had just made a call for food. Koss was brought to the president, and very nervously admitted to having brought no food. The president then looked at him and said: “Johann, you have to understand something; this is the greatest gift we ever have received. This is the first time we have been treated as something more than just to be kept alive.” This statement would come to be the philosophy of Right to Play, “When children play, the world wins.” The goal is simple: give these children a community, a safe place to gather and have fun together. In his speech at UBC’s recent Sport and Society convention (which highlighted Right to Play) Stephen Lewis stressed that the right for children to play is a recognized human right accorded by the United Nations. “Sport has become a vehicle for development,” he said. This human right is being defended, and the development is coming, slowly but surely from this movement.

Right to Play does more than hand soccer balls to locals, or organize track meets. The volunteers and coaches go out of their way to teach life lessons, and impart life saving information. At the end of every game children are gathered round and educated on some challenge or danger presented them in their country. Often times this is HIV infection, though other topics include conflict resolution, and gender equality. By maintaining a completely co-ed environment, and occasionally adjusting the rules to force female involvement, little girls are given many chances to win the respect of little boys, without ever giving a lecture, or boring children with formalities. The number of misconceptions and foolish notions which are being battled every day, particularly in the areas of HIV and AIDS, baffles the mind. “We have children advocating to their parents,” exclaimed Lewis, in his speech at UBC, excited at the possibilities that this suggests. By passing this kind of information into communities, by way of the children, Right to Play hopes to have a powerful positive impact on the large scale.

Unquestionably the greatest legacy of Right to Play is in the individuals who are lifted by the efforts of the volunteers: the little girl who gets the ball for the first time, or the sports team, who ran through the streets of the slums collecting garbage, because the place has flooded and their help was needed. Or perhaps a boy, in a refugee camp, a camp that feels like paradise, compared to his life before. Benjamin Nzobonankira was this boy. He and his family fled the country of Burundi when he was ten years old, taking refuge in Rwanda until the genocide, and Congo until war struck again. After many harrowing months, Nzobonankira found his way to a refugee camp in Tanzania. That’s where he encountered Right to Play. The organization gave him an alternative to returning to Burundi as a soldier; they gave him a community, and a reason to live. He would stay in the camp until he was twenty five years old. “I felt normal again,” he said. These days Nzobonankira works as a trainer for Right to Play in his native Burundi. A happier, more welcoming man could not be found. Benjamin Nzobonankira is a hero and a champion, looking to the future of his country with a bright smile, and an open countenance. Says he, “I now submit this as one of the solutions to my home country. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Johann Koss, because it is because of his programs that I am who I am today.”

Right to Play is a great testament to human dignity and compassion. Its greatness comes from its focus on the humanity of children and the power of play. It has made people human after fighting through inhumane conditions. It has bonded communities together and educated children in the dangers and the truths of their lives. Johann Koss has been an amazing leader, and lifted thousands from the depths of despair. He is joined by Benjamin Nzobonankira, and athletes such as Adam Creek, Nikki Stone, and Anna Rice, in standing for this noble endeavor. This is the 2010 call to action: “Everyone…can play an active roll. Together we call on you to make 2010 the year to contribute to the sport for development movement.” Through the continued efforts of Right to Play and organizations like it there can be great hope – even expectation – of improvement and inclusion the world over. Benjamin Nzobonankira is not the first success story, and he is far from the last. “I have to make a difference through the power of sport that I have experienced,” he proclaimed. One is awed by the picture of this man – and those like him – rising to bring the message of peace, acceptance, and sportsmanship across the globe. Johann Koss summed it up profoundly when he said: “We can make a difference.”