Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
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The third phase of the AFC-FAM-UNHCR-JREC Rohingya Education Centre Social Responsibility Programme concluded with 140 Rohingya children benefiting from the highly successful programme at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Belah on November 23, 2019.
The AFC-UNHCR Programme, which is supported by the AFC Dream Asia Foundation in partnership with the Rohingya Education Centre (JREC), the United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR) and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), underlines the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Vision and Mission to use the sport as a tool for social development.
And with various activities organised for the Rohingya children, the AFC-FAM-UNHCR-JREC Rohingya Education Centre Social Responsibility Programme brought joy to the children while also providing them with education and knowledge through the power of football.
The 12-year-old Shamila binti Sirajul Islam, who had never kicked a ball before joining the programme, was delighted to be given a chance to be part of the initiative.
“Back in 2017, I was a normal girl who did not know how to play football. In our community, football is for boys only. The girls did not get the chance to play football,” she said.
“When this programme started in September 2017 and I was chosen with the other girls to be in this programme, I was excited at the same time nervous because I never kicked a ball before. I do not know how to kick a ball and was afraid that I might get hit with a ball.”
“The day we received a pair of football shoes and jerseys was the happiest day of my life. The shoes were beautiful! I used it every time we had training and took care of it,” Shamila said with a smile.
Shamila is one of many children who have benefitted from the programme which organised a football carnival, competitions and training session for the refugees.
Associate Protection Officer UNHCR Malaysia Dina Hapsari-Savaluna said, “By engaging refugee children in a group sport like football, we are saving a generation of children from trauma in their childhood by giving them a sense of belonging.”
“Through football, we introduce discipline, order and work ethics, physical and mental toughness and lasting friendships among participants. I would like to thank the AFC and all our partners for their support in this successful programme.”
Nur Azlina Binti Abdul Aziz, Executive Director JREC, added: “This programme goes beyond football because the impact on the children is so much more than learning about the sport.
“We have seen the children’s confidence and self-esteem grow and they are more focused in class. The children are also more disciplined and show leadership attributes. They also show a willingness to learn.”
