As conversations around Sport for Development (S4D) begin to gain momentum, the impact of sport on the youth and their overall well-being cannot be ignored. Global evidence has led to the adoption of the 2015 Kaza Resolution – Sport for Development and Peace Framework. It has proven to be a catalyst in the transformation of youth, especially those belonging to challenging socio-economic backgrounds and circumstances – in the areas of early and/or forced marriages, nutrition aspirational framework and identity development, and also increased engagement for those most at risk of leaving school.
To further the impact of Sports Development, PDAG has conceptualised and implemented its own flagship initiative Sports Action towards Harnessing the Aspiration of the Youth (SAHAY), for the Government of Jharkhand to recognise the need for sport as a contributor to the holistic development of young people from some of the most remote and conflict-ridden regions of the state. Along with it being a policy initiative that uses sport as a tool for development, conflict resolution and post conflict confidence building, it also serves as the perfect platform to spot and harness young sporting talent in the hinterlands. Through sport and sporting culture, India has seen its marginalised and backward communities emerge as the epicentre of porting talent. Moreover, it aims to provide an alternate productive avenue for the youth as opposed to the path of violence and conflict such as districts highly affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).
This focus on conflict resolution is complemented by the initiative’s proposed impact on development indicators for nutrition, gender and employment. It looks at creating a strong aspirational framework, contributing to identity development among women, including a sense of empowerment, accomplishment and agency which then results in better health outcomes and personal freedom.
