DOHA: As the quarter-final matches come to a close and the semi-finals begin at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the Generation Amazing Ambassadors have now returned home, back from South America. Their journey now continues in Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan and Qatar, as the ambassadors impart their experiences and learnings with others and compile action plans to address social issues in their communities using Football for Development programmes.
Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), called the Generation Amazing programme an enduring partnership between the SC and the region to support the ambassadors’ community ambitions.
“Their trip was about more than just football and what happens on the pitch,” Al Thawadi said.
“It was about developing skills to take back to their friends and families; building their leadership, communications and organisational qualities. The lessons they have learnt will last longer than just the duration of the World Cup.
“I have no doubt this will be an experience they will remember the rest of their lives,” he added.
Following a rigorous selection process, which included considering the needs of disadvantaged communities and written submissions about their dream trip, the SC took 22 young men and women from Asia to Brazil to witness their first ever finals at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The 10-day visit was part of the SC’s Generation Amazing programme, which employs football as a tool for positive change in communities in several countries across the region.
The SC is partnering with Right To Play, a leading international development organisation, to act on the SC’s behalf as the lead delivery agency for the programme across Jordan and Pakistan, and in coordination with Mercy Corps in Nepal.
Johann Koss, President and CEO of Right To Play, said: “I am sure that the Generation Amazing programme will have a life-long impact on the young people who went to Brazil but it will also deliver lasting results for their communities. The Generation Amazing Ambassadors went through a really well structured training programme that was designed to build their confidence, enhance their leadership skills and grow their understanding and respect for other cultures.”
He added: “These young people earned the right to this unique opportunity by proving they understood the kind of challenges that their communities face and what the power of sport, especially football, could do to address them. I believe that the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy has given this new generation of leaders the chance to make a significant difference in their communities between now and 2022 and in the process inspire other young people to take an active role too.”
Ambassadors represent diverse communities in each country:
• Mafraz, Al Khalediyah and Al Baqa’a Palestinian Refugee Camp in Jordan
• Karachi, Mardan, Thatta in Pakistan
• Makwanpur, Lekhanath, Kailila in Nepal
During visits to three non-governmental Sport for Development organisations in São Paulo, including the Cafu Foundation, EPROCAD and Gol de Letra, the ambassadors witnessed how Brazilian football legends Cafu, Rai, Leonardo and other community leaders in Brazil have developed their respective foundations to address social issues through sport.
On a return flight from São Paulo to Doha, Arham Ullah Khan of Pakistan was thrilled to be part of ‘an amazing trip’.
“The trip was great. It was an amazing opportunity. For me, I don’t just think of this as one opportunity. I think of this as the start,” Khan said.
“I have learned a lot. Hopefully, I can develop my community at a critical time. I’ve learned a lot about the other ambassadors. We had a really good time,” Khan added.
“I’m very thankful to Generation Amazing, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Right To Play, ROTA, Mercy Corps, and everyone for giving us such an amazing time. I am extremely happy. I will always cherish this trip as a great memory. I have also written down my experiences, which I will hopefully share.”
On his future plans, Arham said: “I plan to go home now and rest for a while then I’m going to start my projects. What I’ve I learned I’m going to share with my community and hopefully develop it.”
Rakshya Pandit of Nepal was sad to be separated from her fellow Generation Amazing ambassadors, but gathered inspiration from their 15 days together: “When I go back home, I plan to make youth meetings, to tell them about how to make friends, how to be cooperative, how to make a better dynamic, so that everyone can be closer to everyone.”
Celebrating his 16th birthday with ambassadors in São Paulo, Zaid Al Khalayfeh of Jordan said: “Thank you to everyone for this week and for this amazing birthday!” Ziad, Yazeed Al Khalayleh, and their Jordanian compatriots are dreaming of an opportunity to ply their trade at the ASPIRE Academy for Sports Excellence in Qatar after meeting and playing football in Brazil with Bora Milutinovic, who serves as a Technical Adviser for the Academy. However, in the interim, Yazeed hopes to live up to his potential, off the pitch. “I will organize activities for everyone in my community.”
In the coming months, the SC will further develop programmes alongside Right To Play to deliver Football for Development projects in Jordan, Pakistan and Nepal.
THE PENINSULA
