DUHOK, Kurdistan (October 25th, 2017) - Rwanga Foundation organized a two months soccer championship between two Internally Displaced People (IDPs) camps to enable them to become more self-reliant, connected and active.
The championship started on August 14th 2017 and lasted until October 12th 2017, in which 25 teams attended in this competition.The championship was between Kabarto 1 and Kabarto 2 (IDP camps), containing 343 IDPs (aged 15 to 18 years old) who participated.
''Playing football, like any other type of sport, provides many health benefits. The championship provided an opportunity for players [IDPs] to improve their speed, agility, strength, hand-eye coordination and overall cardiovascular endurance. Furthermore, IDPs increase in aerobic capacity, improve cardiovascular health, lower body fat and improve muscle tone, build muscle strength, promote teamwork and sharing, increase cognitive brain function, increase confidence and self-esteem, and helps to reduce anxiety!'' says Avivan Najman, Center Manager at Kabarto 1 Camp.
The championship was part of a project that aims to give Support to Strengthen the Resilience and Self Dependence of IDPs by 6 Community Centers.Through this project, Rwanga Foundation was able to operate the community social centers in the six camps of Kabartu1, Kabartu 2, Chammishku, Shariya, Bajikandal 2, and Qadiya (Rwanga Community),in which more than 90,000 IDPs are accommodated. The project is funded by GIZ and is implemented in close coordination with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA). The aim of the project is to enable the IDPs in the six camps to become more self-reliant, connected, active, and have adequate capacity to manage themselves and camp communities.
