Mainstreaming strayed youth into society through hockey

Punjab is facing the dreadful situation of rampant drug abuse of all time. According to the AIIMS survey, there are nearly 8.

6 lakh opioid users and 2.3 lakh opioid drug dependents in Punjab.

The project “Sports for Youth Development” is an effort of Caritas India and Netherland based One Million Hockey Legs (1MHL) to create awareness on hockey and health issues in four schools of Jalandhar and Amritsar districts.

Launched in the month of May 2016, the project targets to achieve 40% reduction in drug addiction among the school children and community by organizing weekly hockey festivals.

1MHL coaches are extending technical support to 540 children and young people to learn the dynamics of hockey in Punjab. The trainers organized clinics at different locations to promote hockey at the grassroots level.

Under this initiative Navjeevan Charitable Society for Integral Development (NCSID), Jalandhar, one of the implementing partners of the project has organized hockey match in the Majitha block. Various International Olympic players graced the event with their presence.

Speaking to the media, Bishop of Jalandhar, Most Rev. Franco Mulakal shared that “if we give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”. Through these intervention that through NCSID we are supporting the neediest and mariginalised.

“Sports is a way to integrate these kids and let them resume contact with society and the family, so they can become responsible people and find work” shared Fr. Anthony Madaserry, Director of NCSID, and the implementing partner of the project in Punjab.

“We know that sports activities can change the lifestyle of drug addicts and we hope that the young people can be brought back within the social system through love, affection and care”, added Fr. Madaserry.

Mr. Sandeep Singh, the former Indian hockey captain, Arjun Award Holder and DSP of Haryana Police also attended the event and interacted with the children and coaches of 1MHL.