Right To Play, an international humanitarian organisation which uses sport and play programmes to teach children and youths life-skills, yesterday launched its Community Coaches’ Associations/Networks at the Youth Centre at Garrison Street in Freetown.
Mrs Jacqueline Hope, the CEO of ENWAGS who chaired the programme, said many people were of the notion that sport was just a form of relaxation or for dropouts.
She said whatever the views held over the years positive or negative, one thing was certain, “sport is a fundamental right to be enjoyed by all irrespective of age, gender and ability”.
Mrs Hope stated that the value of sport could not be ignored. She pointed out that, “sport is not only fun in nature but can be used as a means to promote education, health, development and peace whilst sport can be a complimentary tool used in achieving the Millennium Development Goals”.
Mrs Hope said the Community Coaches’ Association brought together all coach leaders trained by Right To Play to build their capacity in leadership and job skills that would create the foundation for sustainable community development.
She said the coaches would become positive role models for children and they would in turn train community volunteers to become future coach leaders.
Moses J. Johnson, Right To Play’s Programmes Manager, said the associations’ primary role was to foster social cohesion and other welfare issues and that they would also replace Right To Play in the event of programmes phase-out.
Representing the coaches, Joseph Kamara assured that they would try to ensure the sustainability of the associations.
He admonished his fellow coaches to perform their duties and be self disciplined.
The vote of thanks was given by Mohamed Sankoh, the Communications Coordinator of Right To Play.
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