Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Cricket-loving students of the Sri Lankan School Doha (SLSD) here have joined the AFC Dream Asia School Challenge which puts together Qatar’s school teams in football competitions as the AFC extends its social responsibility efforts into the local community during the heat of the Asian Cup competitions.
The pre-grade to Year 11 school has now joined the ranks of other schools and academies taking part in the youth football challenge such as the Qatar Youth Academy whose rank and file is made of mostly young hockey players.
Shakeel Sheik, Vice President of the 500-student co-ed school, told the-afc.com that while SLSD has limited space for sports activities especially football, his students are gunning to join the football challenge because of several reasons.
“We are really motivated to join the challenge because firstly, it channels the energy and excitement of the children in learning a new game and to work as a team to achieve the same ‘goal’.
“Our children normally play cricket, which needs lots of room, but football can be played in a small area and all the children can participate regardless of their talent or background. There are no barriers in football no matter what religion, colour, race, age, language or ethnicity.
“Secondly, the project is more than just football as it focuses on harmony and mutual understanding. Our children have been given some homework that revolves around the understanding of these concepts. The focus of the homework is to determine what is true harmony and mutual understanding. Children have different concepts of what harmony means and the IT teacher is also using this challenge with the older children to show and develop their ideas as part of their educational coursework.
“Thirdly and most importantly is the fact that the project unites all nationalities and children under one roof to enjoy one of life’s great games. To be part of such a great event and to participate in an infamous worldwide tournament by the AFC will motivate them and rekindle the light within any child around the world,” the enthusiastic Vice Principal said.
To Sheikh, football is more than just a game for the children.
“The key role of football is the development of creative and confident young people who will become increasingly well motivated with a positive attitude to learn.
“They will learn not only a new game, but also communication and inter-personal skills. This will help the youth to focus on the positive meaning of community.”
The Vice Principal shared with the-afc.com one of his student’s sentiment about the game which, to him, is new and a marked change from the bat-toting game of cricket.
The boy said: “Recently, I started carrying around a football instead of my cricket bat. My mom soon asked me why the change.
“I told her I needed to get the feel of the ball and the game by practising my fingers to feel the ball’s textured surface’ he said. “It thumps when I bounce it and smells of rubber, and it works as a point of reference to move with, and it invites others to join with me. You carry a ball around and just see how many people ask if you want to throw it to them.
“And, I haven't scared anyone into thinking that the football it is a weapon. You would be surprised at how many people think carrying a bat looks like you are carrying a weapon. And, it is a lot harder to lose than my yoyo. Now if it (football) could just fit in my pocket…” wished the boy.