Sports for development in Sri Lanka fosters the inclusion & well-being of children with disabilities

Despite the sweltering afternoon heat, the Kokkuvil Public Ground, in Batticaloa, in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka is abuzz with 30 girls and 15 boys representing their respective Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities. They have come together through their respective children’s clubs to learn new cricketing skills and enjoy a game of cricket.  Among them are Suvendran Jackshan (10), Prabaharan Kabishan (16) and 16 others representing Vaalvosai Children’s Club, comprising children with impaired hearing.

 “I am happy,” signs Jakchan with a big smile. He is from the Tamil community and one of the youngest members of the Vaalvosai Club. Due to COVID-19 school closures, Jakchan had missed out on schooling and struggles to express his joy and excitement. With the support from his teacher, Ms. Dayamadi Fernando (49), the Principal of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Vaalvosai School for Deaf Children, he continues.

“You brought me to play together with all the ordinary children. I played with Muslim and Sinhala children. Before this, I was not aware of their cultures. Now I know more about them.”

He signs, “I am happy.”

“All girls and boys are together, including hearing impaired children. You brought us together. You have made it possible for us to play together in the future.”

Today’s event is one of many implemented through UNICEF’s Sports for Development (S4D) initiative where children benefit from sports’ ability to transcend linguistic, cultural, and social barriers, encouraging children from different backgrounds and abilities to come together. For children like Jakchan, this provides an inclusive and safe environment to enjoy the benefits of sports alongside other children.

“The S4D programme is a valuable opportunity for our kids,” emphasizes Ms. Dayamadi. “Usually, they take part in sporting events exclusively for the differently-abled. But this programme has brought all children together.”

“They get a chance to interact with other children; they learn sports, they play and make bonds. They get a sense of belonging – being equal to others.”

The S4D programme in Sri Lanka is implemented in the Northern and Eastern Provinces; 60 children’s clubs, each with 50-80 members, benefit with opportunities to learn to play cricket and interact with children from other communities. Additionally, Child Rights Promoting Officers (CRPO), sports instructors, and social workers are introduced to techniques to develop sports skills, life skills and comradery among children.

“This is a new and unique concept,” explains Urmila Sivendran (38), a dedicated CRPO. “We were introduced to new methods of interacting with children.”

“The training itself was hands-on. We learned cricketing skills and life skills and how to impart them to the children. This holistic approach ensures that the children not only develop their sporting abilities, but also gain essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.”

 “The children from the Vaalvosai School are from different backgrounds and learning cricket is a new experience for them. Initially they interacted only amongst themselves. But now they are excited at the opportunity to be with other children.”

Interacting with other communities via sports is beyond the usual learning for all children gathered. Though they are faced with the challenge of communication, it’s amazing to watch children play and interact.

For Kabishan it’s a discovery of a passion for sports that has transformed his life: “I used to feel bored. However, since I started playing cricket, I feel active. I am happy about the opportunity to play with other children.  I am being treated equally. It makes me happy.”

The S4D initiative, supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Non-Government Organisations (NGO) Cooperation Program and implemented by UNICEF Sri Lanka through schools and children's clubs, aims to strengthen social cohesion among children and youth in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.