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PREPARING SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE WORLD |
SCORE, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation specialising in community development through sport, launched a new initiative in Khayelitsha on Tuesday to take advantage of the multitude of opportunities presented by the 2010 World Cup. The campaign, called SCORE for 2010, is expected to mobilize more than 10 000 youths throughout Southern Africa during the period of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Project 2010 spoke to Tim Van Dooren, SCORE's Coordinator Special Projects 2010 about the initiative...  This is obviously perfect timing with the 2010 World Cup on our doorstep? Indeed, the FIFA World Cup has presented the country with the perfect stage to show the world just how special South Africa and its people really are. For SCORE, 2010 allows us access to a wider audience to showcase the work we have been carrying out for almost 20 years within, and with the various communities in South and southern Africa. Since its inception in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape in 1991, SCORE has been using the medium of sports development to build the capacity of local communities and it is to the leaders we have trained in these communities that we turn to help us deliver our unique SCORE 2010 campaign. The SCORE for 2010 campaign has been designed specifically with the FIFA World Cup in mind. Much planning has gone into identifying exactly how SCORE could make the tournament accessible to the children and youth in the disadvantaged communities in which SCORE operates. The announcement that South Africa would be hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup meant that we as an organization had the perfect platform from which to launch programmes that will result in sustainable community building. The aim of the campaign is to use the opportunities presented by South Africa staging the FIFA World Cup to share the excitement surrounding this festival of football with ordinary South Africans who would normally have little or no chance of being a part of the celebrations in and around the host cities, let alone affording a ticket to see a live match. SCORE believes that as a leading sport and development organisation in Southern Africa, our organisation has the responsibility to ensure that we show the world the potential of using sport as a tool for development. How do you intend capitalising on the World Cup with this new campaign? It's not so much about the organisation capitalizing on the World Cup - but rather using the hype and excitement surrounding it to enhance the opportunities for local disadvantaged communities to be a part of this once in a lifetime event. SCORE's campaign is expected to bring the World Cup to rural and disadvantaged communities where SCORE operates and to promote inclusion and a sense of national pride. The SCORE for 2010 campaign is aware that most South Africans cannot afford the transport to the stadiums and fan parks nor tickets to the live matches. The campaign recognizes that community members are truly excited about this event and want to be part of it and we therefore want to ensure they have a truly memorable experience of South Africa hosting the FIFA World Cup. By enhancing the opportunities provided by South Africa being the host nation SCORE has planned a unique holiday programme where more than 10 000 youth and children from South and southern Africa will take part in a community-based soccer tournament. This competition will take place during the period of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with fixtures directly mirroring those of the participating nations. Opportunities will also exist for visiting fans to see our work first hand and for them to participate in our unique SCORE for 2010 events either as spectators or as players. What have you identified as your major needs? As stated previously, an aim of the campaign is to showcase the role of sport in a community-driven development process. We believe important media attention surrounding the World Cup will help us spread this message. The SCORE for 2010 campaign can benefit from donors and sponsors who would like to play a part in building strong communities by sponsoring Community Cup events in the various communities. Also we are looking to showcase our work to the world and invite fans and media alike to join us on this journey. Their involvement will translate into helping provide support and training to a community to help them set up their own tournaments and events. SCORE has the infrastructure to allow these communities to communicate with their sponsors and the world through the innovative use of an online social networking platform. Videos, photos and updates will be exchanged between the community and the endorsing organisation, ensuring this formal support leads to concrete interaction with the community members. Do you expect the World Cup to leave a lasting legacy in terms of development? SCORE firmly believes that the work we do during this period will lead to long-term sustainability with the communities in which it is implemented. The SCORE for 2010 campaign has at its core a commitment to empower individuals and build stronger and healthier communities. Our campaign is not only about sport: the soccer tournaments will be accompanied by recreational activities whereby children and youth are provided with valuable life skills through programmes that deal with HIV/AIDS awareness, global citizenship, fair play, community service and leadership skills. When these kids look back on 2010, we would like them to think about the fantastic time they spent together, but also reflect on the skills they acquired next to the football pitch. In terms of long-term development for the organisation, it's important to emphasise the SCORE for 2010 campaign as an important milestone for the organisation, but not an end in itself. We have been active in the area of sport and development for almost 20 years, and will continue to do so long after the final whistle blows. more interviews...
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