By Verghese V Joseph –
Bengaluru: It was truly a humbling experience to be present among true champions!
Billed as the ‘Champion In Me’ (CIM), a sports module conceptualised under the ‘Red Ribbon Revolution’ social initiative by Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation (BSSF) in 2008 exclusively for children and youth living with HIV/AIDS, on Friday announced the ‘Champion In Me’ – Vision-2020 goals, thereby empowering their lives through sports as a medium of transformation.
Also Read: Sneha Run 2018: Giving Children With HIV, Hope!
Marking the World AIDS Day this year, the 10th edition of the Champion In Me Sports Meet will be held on November 24, 2018 with the theme – ‘Celebrating Our Lives’ at the Snehadaan campus at Sarjapur Road, Bangalore.
While celebrating their decade-long efforts in the field of eradicating stigma and discrimination faced by Children living with HIV (CLHIV), ‘Champion In Me’ unveiled its Vision-2020 goals, which aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of creating sustainable financial modules to address the needs raised by HIV/AIDS. It showcased best practices, induct new strategic partner programs to strengthen the HIV Community while advocating, educating and empowering the society with their mission goals.
The event was inaugurated by Mrs. Margaret Alva – Former Governor of Uttarakhand, Goa, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Mrs Alva lauded the efforts of Fr. Mathew Perumpil MI – Director – Sneha Charitable Trust and Mr. Elvis Joseph – Director, BSSF for their noble efforts in bring about the transformation among children with HIV. Mrs Alva who was also the Union Sports Minister earlier related a verse from the Bible to highlight the work done by the Catholic with a missionary zeal, “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me”.
Children who have been a crucial part of the project were also present at the event. Babu, Manik, Priyanka, Bhavani, Lakshmikanth, Kaleshwar, Ashwini, Shruthi were few of the champions who have participated and competed in various national and international athletic meets, marathons and competitions worldwide. Manik, Babu, Bhavani and Shruthi spoke about their struggles and how sports have helped them eradicate the stigma of living with HIV. Their accomplishments on various platforms are a testament of their spirit and how they can live their lives normally, given the opportunity and encouragement of people who believe in them and their talent. They jointly urged people to lend a helping hand to eradicate the stigma.
Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, former Archbishop of Bangalore, shared an interesting story of how a hospital run by the Catholic Church took a bold stand against discriminating people with HIV in its general ward. “The church is always at the forefront helping people with this disability silently letting its work do the talking. More importantly, with a humane face,” the Archbishop added.
Dr. Bilali Camara, Director – UNAIDS India, Dr. J.V.R Prasada Rao – Special Envoy to the UN Secretary General for AIDS, Mr. Elvis Joseph, Director, BSSF, addressed the media about the initiatives and the impact of realising the efforts of organisations that help children and youth living with HIV/AIDS compete on various platforms, helping them lead a normal life.
Dr. Rao in his address said, “The mission is to normalise the lives of children living with HIV/AIDS and that the children are not stereotyped as ‘sick’ but seen as children who can participate physically and mentally in sports and other daily activities. Involving children living with HIV in sports is the best way to fight the stigma and discrimination. Government programs should also have a strong component involving these kids in sports activities as a part of their programs, both at the central and state government level.”
Dr Rao said although a lot of work had gone into alleviating the suffering of people with HIV, newer cases seem to have impacted because of drying up of funds from donors and government. He said there was an urgent need to address this issue. Fr Perumpil said that it was estimated that 70,000 children were infected with HIV there was dire need to reach out to those children.
Ms. Reeth Abraham, international athlete and Arjuna awardee, recounted how she was involved with this programme and she truly glad to see these children emerging fitter and stronger because of the ‘Champion In Me’ programme.
Dr. Bilali Camara highlighted how the event today was the symbol of courage and resilience and a sign of great commitment to demonstrate to the whole world that living positively is the true solution. “It is a clear sign that with determination, we can make zero discrimination a reality and we fulfil our dreams of becoming real champions in whatever area we want – sport, computer sciences, technology, mathematics, physics, engineering, etc. To you – the young champions, only the sky is your limit,” he added.
Mr. Elvis Joseph stress the importance on how the ‘Champion In Me’ has been a project that has built the lives of children and youth living with HIV/AIDS for over a decade now. “This project should be shared as a best practice and it is the need of the hour that governments and agencies endorse initiatives like ours for the benefit of children across the world. Without government intervention and support of International agencies, noble initiatives like ‘Champion In Me’ that have helped in positively transforming lives of the children and youth, will be a far-fetched dream,” he added.
Mr. Asif Iqbal, president, Indian Economic Trade Organisation said, “IETO as a globally recognised organisation is pleased to associate with BSSF. BSSF has put in a lot of effort in the last decade in the field of empowering PLHIV and they are now aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the UN. We’re happy to follow and fulfil these SDGs along with BSSF in a more organised manner and as per Government norms.”
‘Champion In Me’ was initiated in 2008 as an exclusive sports project for children and youth living with HIV/AIDS with about 100 children participating in the first annual sports meet. Over a decade the project has touched nearly 3000 children across various support centres and care centres across India empowering their lives through sports, giving them equal opportunities and the right to play sports.
The project has led to the kids participating in various sporting opportunities across the globe. The children have competed across four continents – participating in the International Children Games, various national athletic meets, children’s Olympics and many more International and National marathons as a result of all the efforts in the past decade. ‘Champion in Me’ has brought new hope to the kids in their battle to end the fight against social stigma and discrimination.
The mission goal is to declare India a stigma and discrimination free country. Champion in Me also aims to invite countries from the Asian region for the upcoming “Champion In Me – 2020” – an International Sports Event to be held in Thailand with children from various Asian countries coming together to participate in what started off as a vision in all children being inclusive, regardless of their health and social status.
BSSF initiated ‘NEW HOPE FOR KIDS’ a customized sports and recreational program conceptualized for Children who have been living with HIV/AIDS taking the first step playing a leading role in the sporting Fraternity contributing to the global fight against HIV/AIDS by active sports & recreational development programs and mobilizing resources for the children living with HIV/AIDS.BSSF plays a leading role in the sporting Fraternity contributing to the global fight against HIV/AIDS by developing active value-based sports and recreational programs and mobilizing resources for the children, will actively advocate organizations to place their networks and other resources at the disposal of national efforts that are aimed at reducing and eventually reversing the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation hopes that this revolution will be a catalyst for integration. ‘Champion In Me’ will set a platform for students from schools and colleges to unite to the vision to eradicate stigma and discrimination and support the reversal of social stereotyping of kids living with HIV/AIDS worldwide.