World Day against Racism at Fighting Global Team
Thirty children, refugees together with their peers from the local community, aged 15-18, sent their own message against discrimination on the occasion of the International Day Against Racism. Sport is a universal language, a language that unites the world, and the children set an example by training together at the Global Fighting Team’s facilities in Kypseli. Under the guidance of the distinguished boxer, instructor, and trainer, Anastasia Pontika, and her colleagues, the children proved that racism and intolerance have no place in life.
Activities at OAKA
More than 20 refugee children enjoyed a unique athletic experience at the OAKA facilities. Some of them tried out their abilities in Tae Kwon Do, beach volley, and athletics for the very first time. They had great fun while learning the basic principles of each sport from distinguished coaches and athletes who assisted them.
Activity at the Kallimarmaro Stadium
What does “uppercut”, “jab” and “cross” mean? What is an “épée” and a “foil”? These and much more were taught to the children who visited the Panathenaic Stadium last March. Experienced coaches and athletes gave a first “taste” of sports such as fencing, handball, laser run, and boxing.
Activities at Fokianos
The Fokianos Sports Park was filled with happy faces as children met coaches and athletes from various sports, including athletics, handball, fencing, boxing, cricket, and laser run. Through interactive games and exercises, the children were introduced to new sports, broadening their horizons, sharpening their minds, and developing their skills.
Volley ball trainings and weaving classes
During March, weekly volleyball training sessions began at the facilities of the Culture, Sports, and Youth Organization of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA) in Grava. Additionally, weekly weaving and sewing classes were initiated in collaboration with Creative Hands. “Together in Sport – Phase II”, besides sports, supports various activities that promote cultural diversity and enhance the cultural identity of the participating children.
International Day of Sport: Basketball event for more than 40 children
“These were the best 40 minutes of my life!” exclaimed Nabil* at the final whistle of the basketball game of the Elite League-Henry Dunant Championship, between Panerythraikos BC and GS Hermes Schimatari.
On the occasion of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, refugee children and their peers from the local community were in the stands of the Municipal Indoor Gymnasium of Nea Erythraia “Stelios Kalaitzis”, enjoying dribbles, assists, and spectacular three-point shots, some of them for the first time in their lives. Read more here.
* The name has been changed for the protection of the child.
The activities at Fokianos continued in April
The activities at the Fokianos Sports Park continued throughout April. Exciting experiences in handball, fencing, boxing, cricket, and laser run awaited the children who visited the area. Under the guidance of experienced coaches and accomplished athletes, they enjoyed unique training moments in one of the city’s most historic sporting venues.
Refugee children attended the Olympic Flame handover ceremony
620 refugee children attended the handover ceremony of the Olympic Flame at the Panathenaic Stadium, as it continued its journey to France, the host country for this year’s Olympic Games. It was an unforgettable experience for all the children who participated!
Read more here.
Cricket and Tae Kwon Do trainings
Although it has over 2.5 billion fans worldwide, cricket is not very popular in Greece, despite its historical introduction in 1823 in Corfu. Two centuries later, “Together in Sport – Phase II” included cricket in its activities. Regular training sessions started in April in Kallithea for young people wishing to experience this unique team sport that is gaining more and more enthusiasts.
For Tae Kwon Do fans, training sessions started this April in Piraeus. Children who love this popular Korean martial art regularly visit the training center and practice with great interest and joy.
“Together in Sport-Phase II” is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), co-funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees of Germany (BAMF) and the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (TAME – AMIF). The activity is carried out in cooperation with municipalities in different regions of Greece.
