| SportsLink 2010 |
 2010 is a big year. The greatest show on earth – the FIFA World Cup - arrives in Africa for the first time. The RSA World Cup project we are involved in is linking with groups in South Africa to develop communities in the poorest areas of the country during the world cup.
We will host clinics for young kids to learn football skills and life skills (footballs and equipment will be purchased for these clinics). We will work with local partners and train people in how they can serve their communities through sport.
Pasha’s Story
Pasha Rozhkov was a name teachers once dreaded seeing on their class rolls. The known trouble-maker was popular among his peers for all the wrong reasons. Cigarettes, alcohol and glue-sniffing were his preferred ways of escape, and Pasha had no interest in changing. But in the summer of 2002, 13-year-old Pasha signed up for The Kids Games, a mini Olympic-style event hosted by OM Ukraine to reach youth in Rivne. With 3,000 other children, Pasha competed in sports, listened to Bible lessons and participated in group discussions. His leader’s thought-provoking questions challenged his rebellious heart. He was hungry to know more and began attending a church youth group. Truly, “the old has gone, and the new has come” in Pasha’s life. Now 20 years old, he is actively involved in his youth group and in the ministry that caused his life to turn around: sports. He has served as a sport trainer in OM Ukraine’s summer camps.
Pasha’s smiling face can be seen at every event – this time as a coach, cheering for his team, and sharing hugs and high fives at the end of the game. SportsLink will use funds from R4TW 2010 to: - Help resources get to places where they can be used in sports camps - Help serve at the Football World Cup and other events through coaching and teaching life skills - Helping fund little known projects that are making a big impact Since France ‘98 SportsLink has been involved in serving at the World Cup and the Olympics. In 2010 we will have small teams dedicated to coaching kids in poor areas of South Africa whilst the millionaire footballers are on the big screens. At the same time we are partnering with an initiative to touch the lives of those affected by HIV in Africa and teach like skills to communities around the world.
Funds from R4TW this year will go towards helping communities around the world to develop and prosper with sport as the International language of communication. You You can see from previous R4TW projects how sport and activities offer great openings to teach valuable life skills that young people will remember for the rest of their lives. Sports camps will take place again in Ukraine, Hungary, Ireland and many other locations.
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