My Game is Beautiful

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 19 (Dutch)

2010-03-22T18:09:00.001+05:30

Jaap Scholten reports on the last games in New Delhi. Click here for article 19 'Delhi, de laatste wedstrijd'

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Op de snelweg van Jaipur en New Delhi krijg ik het gevoel dat ik naar huis rij. Ik heb de afgelopen twee jaar veel tijd doorgebracht in Delhi en mooie mensen leren kennen. De agenda in Delhi is overvol. We spelen twee wedstrijden met straatkinderen, we hebben afspraken met Coca Cola en de Indiaase voetbalbond (AIFF), we maken een start met de film voor de FIFA en onze papieren voor Pakistan en Iran moeten geregeld worden. Willem Grimminck, maart 2010, Delhi

In Delhi staan twee wedstrijden op het programma, maar eerst is er een afspraak met de All Indian Football Federation en FIFA-sponsor Coca Cola. Hoe promoot ik een voetbalproject in een land waar volkssport nummer één niet voetbal maar cricket is? Een herensport, geïntroduceerd door de Britten in de koloniale tijd. Dorp of stad, arm of rijk, hoge of lage kaste, iedereen speelt cricket. Maar het blikveld wordt verruimd. Dit jaar doet India een serieuze poging om zich sportief te manifesteren; meer dan alleen cricket is het devies. New Delhi haalde de Common Wealth Games binnen en momenteel is het Wereldkampioenschap hockey voor mannen er aan de gang. Overal in Delhi wordt gewerkt aan de infrastructuur. Stadions rijzen als paddestoelen uit de grond. Delhi zal de wereld laten zien wat ze op sportief en organisatorisch gebied waard is. Willem: “de sportieve intenties van de stad helpen meer dan een handje om ons verhaal van talentvolle meiden in de straten van Bodh Gaya, de jungle van Jharkhand en de stranden van Goa te presenteren. De heren van Coke en de AIFF veren op bij het zien van de My Game is Beautiful-opnames.” lees verder..

Weekly on volkskrantreizen.nl: article 18 (Dutch)

2010-03-22T17:50:00.004+05:30

Jaap Scholten describes the Pink city. Click here for article 18 'Jaipur'

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Een droge en zanderige rivierbedding ergens in de halfwoestijn van Rajasthan wordt de overnachtingsplaats. Als het eenmaal donker is ontvouwt zich een sterrenhemel die je alleen in een aardedonker en leeg landschap kunt waarnemen. Ons diner bestaat uit een zak gezouten noten en water. Morgen rijden we naar Jaipur, 250 kilometer.

Jaipur is de hoofdstad van Rajasthan. De stad is in honderd jaar tijd gegroeid van tweehonderduizend naar ruim zes miljoen inwoners. Het is één van de eerste geplande en op de tekentafel ontworpen steden van India. Dat gebeurde in de 18de eeuw in opdracht van maharadja Sawai Jai Singh II, en op slechts een paar kilometer afstand van Amber, de hoofdstad van een rijk waar Jai’s voorgangers al eeuwen de scepter zwaaiden. In een recordtijd verrezen paleizen, pleinen, boulevards en geometrisch ontworpen woonwijken. De meest in het oog lopende bouwwerken zijn het koninklijke City Palace, het sprookjesachtige Hawa Mahal en het waterpaleis Jal Mahal. Jaipur wordt de Pink City genoemd, omdat veel roze zandsteen is gebruikt en omdat de stad in een roze tint werd geschilderd tijdens een bezoek van Edward VII, toen nog Prince of Wales, in 1876. Tot op de dag van vandaag moeten facades in het centrum roze zijn. Jaipur is een enorme metropool in een verder leeg en desolaat stuk Rajasthan. Duizenden motoren, auto’s, bussen en riksja’s persen zich door de straten. Willem: “het blijkt vandaag een auspicious day te zijn. Overal zie ik trouwpartijen. In een lange stoet, met de bruidegom te paard, gaan de families op weg naar de bruid. De huwelijkstraditie staat in India boven de wet en zeker boven alle verkeersregels. Het duurt uren voordat we op onze bestemming in Jaipur aankomen.” Lees verder

Organiser of Yuwa's 1st football team: Suman Kumari Toppo

2010-03-22T17:39:00.000+05:30

SUMAN KUMARI TOPPO, from the tiny tribal village of Hutup in Ranchi District, is a girl to watch. She is one of only eight children from Hutup to be selected last year as a Yuwa Scholar and is the organizer of Yuwa’s first football team. She was studying in 5th class at a local government primary school where she, like her classmates, could barely perform simple subtraction. But Suman is intelligent and capable, and was selected based on attendance and effort. After three months of intensive tutoring from Yuwa, she passed the entrance examination to attend Mount Carmel School, a well regarded private school, where she is now attending 4th class. Suman’s mother, Sukro Devi, earns a daily wage separating plastic trash, and her father, Debu Oraon, who suffers from diabetes, attends to their small fields. Their attitude towards their daughters is quite progressive. Although they earn just Rs 100 ($2.20) per day, and Rs 25-30,000 ($550-650) in the summer from their vegetable harvest, after Suman was selected for a scholarship (covering 75 percent school fees), they increased their expenditure on education for their oldest daughter as well, putting her into private tutoring, and enrolled their youngest daughter into a private kindergarten. Suman showed a spirit and generosity that is impressive but typical among her teammates when she suggested giving up her title as captain several months after having organized the team. She thought the position would be better filled by one of her older teammates, and after a vote, one captain and two assistant captains were chosen, among them her older sister, Seema. “It feels good being part of a team,” says Suman. “Sometimes study at Mount Carmel is very hard, but I am trying to study hard and keep playing with my team. My mother, father and whole family are happy and proud, and like Yuwa’s program very much. I think it’s good for all girls to come regularly to the ground and play.”

Suman working with her father at home drying rice paddy (Photo credits: Ashok Nath Dey for The Hindustan Times)

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 17 (Dutch)

2010-03-22T17:16:00.000+05:30

Jaap Scholten is following Willem and Franz to the land the kings and SOS child village. Click here for article 17 'Rajasthan'

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Rajasthan staat op de agenda van iedere reiziger in India. Het is het land van paleizen, forten, woestijnen, tijgers en eeuwenoude tradities. Voor ‘My Game is Beautiful’ doorkruisen Willem Grimminck en Franz Gastler het ruige landschap via Udaipur naar de hoofdstad, Jaipur.

Rajasthan is de grootste deelstaat van India en kent landschappelijk scherpe contrasten. In het oosten, op de grens met Pakistan, ligt de Thar-woestijn, een uitgestrekt gebied met rotsachtige heuvels, halfdode bomen, cactussen en zandduinen; het wilde westen van India. Dwars door de staat, van zuidwest naar noordoost loopt de Aravalli Range, een oeroud gebergte dat rijk is aan mineralen, vooral marmer. Komend vanuit het groene Gujarat is de eerste indruk van Rajasthan kaal en droog. Eeuwenlange mijnbouw, al of niet legaal, heeft grote delen van het Aravalli-gebergte veranderd in een maanlandschap. Verontrustend, want het gebergte is een natuurlijke barrière tegen de oprukkende Thar-woestijn. En de middenweg tussen natuurbehoud en het tegengaan van erosie aan de ene kant, en de lokale en regionale economische belangen aan de andere, is lastig te vinden. Willem: “de groene oase van Gujarat is verdwenen. Onderweg komen we talloze mijnen tegen. Vrachtwagens en kamelen vervoeren het gesteente van de groeve naar de fabrieken. Het veroorzaakt reuzachtige stofwolken die ons het zicht belemmeren en de motoren, de bepakking en onszelf met een dikke laag stof bedekt.” lees verder..

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 16 (Dutch)

2010-03-13T14:51:00.002+05:30

Jaap Scholten covered Willem and Franz' discovery of Mc Donald's and two football hero's in Gujarat. Click here for article 16 'Voetballen in Gujarat'.

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De snelweg van Mumbai naar Ahmedabad is lang en saai. Tijdens het rijden dwalen mijn gedachten de hele tijd af naar de garnalenmeisjes in Mumbai. Hoe graag ik het ook zou willen voorlopig zal het leven van deze meisjes en hun families weinig of niet veranderen. Daarvoor zijn heel veel nieuwe ideeën, veel geduld en nog meer empathie nodig.

Gujarat

Onopgemerkt rijden Willem Grimminck en Franz Gastler Gujarat binnen. Gujarat is een welvarende deelstaat van India. Veertig procent van India’s industriële productie is made in Gujarat en bijna driekwart van de petrochemische industrie is hier geconcentreerd. Maar wie ook aanzienlijk bijdragen aan de welvaart zijn de vele Gujarati’s die het land van de heilige koe hebben verlaten voor een carrière in het westen en maandelijk een cheque opsturen naar opa en oma. Gujarat staat ook bekent om het grote aantal hindoes dat principieel geen vlees eet. Mahatma Ghandi, de beroemdste zoon van Gujarat,, was één van hen. Het hindoeisme is sterk verankerd in de samenleving van Gujarat en dat zal voorlopig niet veranderen want de regionale overheid wordt gedomineerd door politieke partijen die sterke banden hebben met de conservatieve hindoebeweging ‘Pure Veg’ (pure vegetarian). Lees verder

Callenging child marriage: Sita Kumari

2010-03-13T14:25:00.001+05:30

Case Study: Sita Kumari (14)

SITA KUMARI, from the tiny tribal village of Hutup in Ranchi District, attends 9th class at a local government school. She is the second of five daughters – Gita, Sita, Reeta, Neeta and Babita! – of Muni Devi, an illiterate housewife who earns some income by brewing rice beer, and Charku Mahto, a daily wage mason commuting to nearby Ranchi city. Her family’s income is roughly Rs 2,500 ($50) per month.

They have two cows (but no milk), two goats and one hen. Unlike her two younger sisters who play on her team and are all smiles, for Sita football is a serious affair. Last spring, Sita’s parents arranged the marriage of her fifteen year old sister, and in an interview with The Hindustan Times (“Bend it like Bekhambhai”, Sunday 6 December 2009), her mother and father made it clear that unless something big happened for Sita, she would be next. But things are changing. According to her mother, football has delayed the prospect of marriage. Her father says he would be delighted if she made the state team and even happier if she moved out of their house into a sports or school hostel – more titles mean less dowry and better marriage prospects, and leaving the house means one less mouth to feed.

This is looking more and more probable. After participating in a selection for the Sports Authority of India (SAI) State Girls’ U16 team in July where she was not selected, she paid attention to what was evaluated and a month later had mastered the moves. She has made it back into the final selection for the team after a few more months’ practice and a week at India’s premier football academy, Tata Football Academy (TFA) in December.

“I feel happy and I have been attending evening class [at Yuwa Club],” she says. “Study is important for me, but math is very hard. My mother’s behavior is changing. She used to always think about me doing housework.”

Sita working with her father in their vegetable garden (Photo credits: Ashok Nath Dey for The Hindustan Times)

UNIFEM approval

2010-03-08T15:45:00.001+05:30

YUWA's growth strategy and related our request to FIFA are emerging and already endorsed by the United Nation Development Fund for Woman (UNIFEM).

Launch game video 2

2010-02-23T14:55:00.001+05:30

To support 'My Game is Beautiful' TATA Football Academy (TFA), India's leading football school, organised for the first time a training camp for GIRLS. The YUWA girls have never been away from home for so long. Watch game video 2 here.

This video is the second out of 20 and part of our video petition to FIFA, requesting FIFA to extend their presence in South Asia. Doing so, we aim to provide underprivileged girls in South Asia a chance to build a better future.

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 14 (Dutch)

2010-02-22T18:31:00.000+05:30

Jaap Scholten presents in article 14 what Willem and Franz discover in Goa! Click here for article 14 'Anjuna Beach (Goa)'.

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Goa is de thuishaven van India’s beste voetballers en voetbalclubs. Willem Grimminck en Franz Gastler zitten dus dicht bij het vuur. Ze zijn in Goa op uitnodiging van de Sport Authority of Goa. Met voorzitter Mario bezoeken ze een wedstrijd van meiden die al jaren met voetbal bezig zijn. Maar voetballen met ‘gewone’ meisjes blijkt een stuk moeilijker.De wedstrijd is in Vasco da Gama, de grootste stad van Goa en genoemd naar de Portugese ontdekkingsreiziger Vasco da Gama die in 1510 als eerste Europeaan voet aan wal in India zette. In een echt stadion spelen de meiden van Salgaocar tegen Petrong Sportsclub. Het wordt meteen duidelijk dat er in Goa aandacht is voor damesvoetbal. Veld, kleding, coaches, spel, het ziet er allemaal professioneel uit. En schril contrast met Nagpur, Bhandara en vrijwel alle andere plaatsen waar gespeeld is. De wedstrijd is leuk en spannend om naar te kijken. Het kan dus in India. Deze meiden laten zien dat damesvoetbal op een hoog niveau gespeeld kan worden. Willem: “deze meiden zijn een voorbeeld en stimulans voor anderen die willen gaan voetballen. Ze kijken me verbaasd aan als ik dat tegen ze zeg, want voor hen is voetbal de normaalste zaak van de wereld.” Lees verder.

One to watch; Puspa Kumari Toppo

2010-02-20T23:47:00.000+05:30

PUSPA KUMARI TOPPO, from the tiny tribal village of Hutup in Ormanjhi Block, attends 7th class at a local government school. She is the fourth daughter of Muni Devi, a midday meal cook at the local government school who earns Rs 500 ($11) per month, and Jhabu Oraon, a mason at a local hospital earning Rs 110 ($2.40) per day. Her family has one cow and two oxen, and two small fields where they grow rice, wheat and vegetables.
For Puspa, it’s been a big year. She has been with us since our first practice, barefoot, in a tattered yellow dress and red bandana – her uniform for six months – and she was the first chosen by the boys for their own team once they warmed to the idea of girls playing. Before December, she had rarely ventured outside her village, when she traveled to India’s premier football academy, Tata Football Academy (TFA), for a week-long training camp. Soon after, she was selected along with twelve teammates from Yuwa for the State Girls U13 team, and traveled to Tamil Nadu to represent Jharkhand at the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) National Football Festival.

She impressed national team scouts by launching a ball off her forehead (served up by her older sister Usha) past Bombay’s goalkeeper – one of her many goals of the tournament where and her teammates chalked up wins against bigger and more experienced teams from Bombay (8-1) and Delhi (3-0). She is one of fifty girls in India to be selected for the AIFF National Training Camp in Kerala, and if selected there, will travel to Sri Lanka to represent India.

Puspa is generally shy and quiet with adults, but on the field she lights up like a thousand lanterns. Slowly she has become a regular fixture at Yuwa Club’s afternoon study sessions as well. “I think studies are important, and I’m happy,” she says. “I want to be a good player and I feel very good. I was happy to score goals against Manipur (India’s top girls’ team). My mom and dad are also happy with me.”

Photo 1) Puspa (foreground) with teammates from Yuwa Adivasi Club (Photo credit: Ashok Nath Dey for The Hindustan Times)
Photo 2)Puspa studying at home (Photo credit: Ashok Nath Dey for The Hindustan Times)

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 13 (Dutch)

2010-02-20T23:07:00.000+05:30

Jaap Scholten discloses Franz and Willem’s wild camping strategy in India. Click here for article 13 'On the road to Goa'

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Goa is de kleinste, de bekendste, de jongste en de rijkste deelstaat van India. Jaarlijks wordt Goa bezocht door 2 miljoen toeristen, waarvan een kwart veelal westerse backpackers. Goa staat ook op het programma van My game is Beautiful, maar daarvoor moeten Willem Grimminck en Franz Gastler wel eerst even 1200 kilometer op de motor. “We keken er naar uit om naar Goa te gaan, en dat precies 500 jaar nadat de Portugezen er voet aan land zetten. In Goa willen we ontdekken wat er mogelijk is voor meidenvoetbal in India. Daarnaast zijn we ook erg benieuwd naar de stranden en de hippieachtige cultuur die er zou heersen.” Woorden van Willem, maar voor er tegen een bal wordt getrapt moet eerst 1200 kilometer dwars door Maharashtra worden gereden, de droom van iedere motorrijder. Lees verder.

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 12 (Dutch)

2010-02-11T21:28:00.000+05:30

Jaap Scholten followed Willem and Franz to the biggest unknown city of India where a Buddhist principle is the referee of a girls football game. Click here for article 12 '4000 kilometers'

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Nagpur is officieel de tweede hoofdstad van de Indiase deelstaat Maharashtra. Die strekt zich uit van Midden-India tot aan de Indische Oceaan in het westen. Daar ligt de hoofdstad, Mumai, het voormalige Bombay. Nagpur is een metropool van een paar miljoen inwoners. Een dienstenstad en ook bekend als centrum van een sinaasappelstreek. Het Valencia van India dus, maar daar houdt de vergelijking ook mee op. Voor de toerist is Nagpur minder interessant. Maar Willem Grimminck en Franz Gastler zijn niet naar de regio Nagpur gekomen voor tempels of archeologische vindplaatsen. Het enige doel is het organiseren van My Game is Beautiful-wedstrijd nummer tien.

Willem: “we waren beiden voor het eerst in deze regio en hebben er geen contacten, maar dat weerhield ons niet om ook in deze regio ons project te promoten.” Standplaats wordt Bhandara, een door-en-door Indiaas stadje ten oosten van Nagpur. Twee vreemde motorrijders blijven nooit lang onopgemerkt en het duurt niet lang of Grimminck en Gastler zitten aan tafel bij Rajesh, de boeddhistische principle van de “United Convent School”. Lees verder

Reflection 2: after 10 games and 3500 KM

2010-02-03T14:38:00.000+05:30

10 games and 3500 KM brought us closer to our goal; ‘greater involvement of FIFA with its programme ‘Football for Hope’ in South Asia’. To achieve our goal we are reaching out to underprivileged girls, building & strengthening partnerships and raising awareness. Learn more about the results below.

Reaching communities:

• 450 underprivileged girls playing football in India’s tribal belt, the outskirts of Kolkata, the back alleyways of Bihar, hills of Nepal and villages of North and Central India. Meet the girls at our webalbum!

• Video & picture reports of 10 football events capturing the passion and ability of young woman in:

o Eastern India (Jharkhand, West-Bengal and Bihar)

o Nepal (Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara)

o North India (Uttar Pradesh)

o Central India (Maharashtra)

o South India (Tamil Nadu)

Developing partnerships:

• Support from:

• Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Jharkhand for a ‘Special Football Camp for tribal girls’ at the TATA Football Academy (TFA)

• TATA Steel for promoting for Girls football in India

• Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. in Jharkhand for organising girls’ football tournaments

• Usha Martin Ltd for Yuwa’s launch in 2009 and youth programme in 2010

• Relationship established with:

• AIFF affiliate football state programs

• Nike India and Manchester United Premier Cup

• Coca-Cola India

• Commitment of youth leaders (Milaan) for developing future football programmes in Uttar Pradesh as an integrated part of creative learning for girls (Scheduled Caste)

• Commitment of Pokhara Children’s homes for developing future football programmes in Pokhara to stimulate teamwork for future micro business organisations

• Partnership with national and local NGOs for organising demonstration games

Raising awareness: 10 million people reached through print media and radio in South Asia and abroad

• Radio 1 – three (3) interviews (The Netherlands)

• The Kathmandu Post (National Daily in Nepal) – ‘Changing Lives through football’. Sunday, January 10, 2010

• Republica (National Daily in Nepal) – ‘My Game is Beautiful in South Asia’. Monday, December 28, 2009

• Radio 1 - interview (The Netherlands) – December 13, 2009

• Hindustan Times (National Edition) – “‘Bend it Like Beckhambhai’. New Ballgame: In a village near Ranchi, a small group of girls and their American coach are learning to juggle the football – and their lives”. Sunday, December 6, 2009

• De Pers (National daily in The Netherlands) - “Tribal Girls gain self-confidence through Football”. December 2, 2009

• Hindustan Times (Eastern Edition) - “Soccer Succour: Jharkhand's tribal girls to bend it like Beckham in Switzerland”. December 1, 2009

• Prabhat Kabar plus seven (7) other Local Newspapers in Eastern India covering 'Special Football Camp for Tribal Girls' at Tata Football Academy. December 1, 2009

• Sun Current (Minnesota, USA) - “Edina Natives Making a Difference in Rural India”. October 8, 2009

• Plus considerable local and regional news coverage

Roadmap: India to Zurich

2010-02-02T14:37:00.000+05:30

Descending from the Himalaya after game 5 we followed the sun through fascinating landscapes of central India to reach the sea at Goa. What’s next? Check the roadmap for ‘My Game is Beautiful’ on googlemaps.

View 'My Game is Beautiful' - Map in a larger map

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 11 (Dutch)

2010-02-02T14:11:00.000+05:30

Jaap Scholten writes that driving on motorcycles through Central India must be a dream. Click here for article 11; 'Tempelstad Khajuraho'.

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Van Lucknow naar Nagpur zijn meer dan 800 kilometers, teveel voor één dag op de motor. Maar dat is niet erg, want halverwege ligt Khajuraho, en dat is misschien wel de beroemdste tempelstad van India. In Lucknow was het koud en Willem Grimminck en Franz Gastler hebben moeite de motoren aan de praat te krijgen. Maar als de koude ochtendmist optrekt staat er een lekker zonnetje aan de hemel. We gaan richting het zuiden. Naar het zuiden betekent ook weer een andere deelstaat: Uttar Pradesh wordt verruild voor Madhya Pradesh (MP), dat zoiets als middenprovincie betekent en inderdaad het geografische hart van India is. MP is niet half zo dicht bevolkt als UP en een stuk rustiger. Willem: “Madhya Pradesh was een verademing na het drukke UP. We reden over goede en opvallend rustige wegen door een glooiend landschap met eindeloze gele velden, de bloemen van de mosterdplant. Langzaam kwamen we weer op temperatuur.” Lees verder..

Liverpool striker RYAN BABEL encourage girls in South Asia to play football

2010-01-27T15:52:00.002+05:30

Dear Girls,

Greetings from Liverpool!

I was pleasantly surprised when I heard that you girls are playing football in South Asia. These days the public is starting to get used to female players and learn about fantastically skilled players like Marta from Brazil.

What surprised me even more is that you also play football to fight for your rights. Watching your game on video and learning about how football changes your lives made me feel happy for you and for the sport I obviously love so much.

I appreciate the initiative Willem and Franz have taken to demonstrate the meaning of football for your future. Therefore, I support ‘My Game is Beautiful’ and wish for fantastic results.

I would like to encourage every one of you to keep on playing your beautiful game.

All the best,

Ryan Babel

Striker at Liverpool F.C

BIO: Ryan Babel is a Dutch professional footballer who started his career at Ajax (1998-1997) in The Netherlands and currently plays for Liverpool FC. Babel took part in the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and scored two goals in four games as the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals. In 2006, Marco van Basten included Babel in the Dutch squad for 2006 FIFA World Cup and in May 2008, Babel was selected for the Dutch squad which will compete in the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament. In total, Babel played 37 games for the Dutch National Team. Learn more about Ryan Babel http://www.babelofficial.com/

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 10 (Dutch)

2010-01-22T18:42:00.000+05:30

Jaap Scholten describes which sacred places we have to go by to reach the poorest children in North India. Click here for article 10 'Terug naar India'

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Vanaf Pokhara neemt Willem Grimminck de highway south, met de Himalaya in de spiegels en de vlakte op de grens van Nepal en India in het vizier. De rust is voorbij. Met iedere kilometer neemt de drukte toe. Overal vrachtwagens, riksja’s en overladen bussen. Het lijkt op een volksverhuizing. Alles wat wielen heeft beweegt zich richting het zuiden, naar de grens, naar Lumbini – de geboorteplaats van niemand minder dan Boeddha en Erfgoed van de Mensheid. Willem vertelt: “bij de grens bereikt de drukte een hoogtepunt en kun je je weer voorbereiden op de gangbare rituelen van de douane en ‘sjoemelaars’ die, nutteloze, dingetjes voor je willen regelen en daar, uiteraard, geld voor vragen.” Het valt mee dit keer. Lees verder

Mambapiont.tv is featuring ‘My Game is Beautiful’

2010-01-22T17:25:00.000+05:30

NCRV’s (Dutch national broadcaster) Mambapiont is a cross media video platform for large to small scale development projects. Projects initiators are able to show what they are doing on their own online Mambapiont project page. The editors of Mambapiont also producing stories and video items about inspiring people and the stories behind individual initiatives.

With great pleasure I like to welcome you at our Mambapiont project page. Click here.

On Thursday the 21st of Januari Mambapiont featured 'My Game is Beautiful' in their newsletter

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 9 (Dutch)

2010-01-21T19:52:00.000+05:30

Our special reporter Jaap Scholten published a heart-warming story about winning and losing in Pokhara. Click here for article 9 'Voetballen in Pokhara-Nepal'

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De zevende voetbalwedstrijd onder de vlag van “My Game is Beautiful” was niet vantevoren georganiseerd. Een tweede Bodh-Gaya dus (zie artikel 5). In Pokhara ging Willem Grimminck met een voetbal onder de arm naar een school, op uitnodiging van twee Nederlandse vrijwilligsters, Mirjam en Margreet. Willem: “we hadden twee dagen om een wedstijd te organiseren maar nog geen teams. Diezelfde ochtend dronk ik een kopje koffie in een cafe naast de school en las een oproep van een kinderhuis aan toeristen voor vrijwilligerswerk. Een uur later stond ik bij de directeur op de stoep, en dat was, geloof het of niet, een Nederlander. We hielden een Nederlands onderonsje en het plan om een tournooitje te organiseren tussen een paar kinderhuizen was snel gesmeed.” De volgende ochtend pakten de heren de fiets (hoe kan het ook anders) en de organisatie begon. Willem: “aan het einde van de dag hadden we vier teams bij elkaar: Rainbow, Everest, Child Welfare en Namaste. De volgende dag zouden de teams zich na school - om vier uur – verzamelen op een speelveldje bij ‘Camping chowk’ aan het Phewa-meer. Lees verder

Radio 1/Llink interview Willem Grimminck (Dutch)

2010-01-21T19:03:00.008+05:30

The Netherlands - Radio 1 reporters asked me if girls in Nepal are up for football? Watch and listen to the interview below.

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 8 (Dutch)

2010-01-14T16:46:00.000+05:30

Jaap Scholten reports on weekly basis the stories of 'My Game is Beautiful' for The Netherlands. Click here for article 8 'Annapurna view vanaf de motor'

[Preview]

Kathmandu verleidt om te blijven hangen. Het heeft een levendig centrum met een aangename sfeer en talloze eethuizen met een opvallend hoog culinair niveau. Er zijn ook opvallend veel Nederlanders. Zou dat te maken hebben met het gevoel dat Nepal een soort light versie is van India, of is het simpelweg de aantrekkingskracht van de Himalaya? Maar het werd tijd om verder te gaan. Back to work. Bestemming Pokhara, ruim 200 kilometer ten westen van Kathmandu, de tweede stad van Nepal en bij klimmers en trekkers bekend als uitgangspunt voor het Annapurna-massief. Lees verder

Launch Game video 1

2010-01-14T16:12:00.004+05:30

Welcome to 'My Game is Beautiful' Game video 1 and witness how girls play their beautiful game in Ranchi (India).

Additional funding for 'My Game is Beautiful' is still required. Help us to facilitate social change for girls in South Asia through football and make a donation to 'My Game is Beautiful' here. Many thanks, Willem and Franz.

This video is the first out of 20 and part of our video petition to FIFA, requesting FIFA to extend their presence in South Asia. Doing so, we aim to provide underprivileged girls in South Asia a chance to build a better future.

In the News: 'Changing Lives through football'

2010-01-10T13:35:00.006+05:30

The Kathmandu Post, a major English daily from Nepal's largest news service and pioneer in advocating free Press in Nepal reports on how football is changing lives. Click here for the article online.

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen: article 7 (Dutch)

2010-01-10T13:35:00.005+05:30

Glimpses of a dutch christmas and football in Kathmandu by Jaap Scholten. Click here for article 7 'Kerst en voetbal in Kathmandu'.

[Preview]

We zijn beland in Sankhu, een dorp in de Kathmandu-vallei. In Sankhu heeft de Stichting Veldwerk Nederland (SVN) een kinderhuis, ‘Hamro Gaun’, wat ‘ons dorp’ betekent. Op zondagochtend zit Willem Grimminck met een kop thee op de veranda en kijkt om zich heen: “het levenspatroon voor vrouwen op een zondag (1ste werkdag van de week) wordt in één oogopslag duidelijk. De meisjes die nu nog spelen en misschien naar school gaan zullen snel hun kloffie omruilen voor een rode trouwsari en vervolgens samen met de andere vrouwen de was doen in de goot of het land bewerken terwijl de mannen een kaartje leggen om de omzet van het theehuisje garanderen.” Evenals in India is de positie van meisjes en vrouwen in Nepal niet wezenlijk anders dan die in India. Ook de cijfers laten een weinig geëmancipeerd beeld zien. Meer dan tienduizend meisjes worden jaarlijks meegenomen en geëxploiteerd in India. Berucht zijn de verhalen over Nepalese tienermeisjes in de bordelen van Kolkata (zie het boek Sold van Patricia McCormick). Twee op de drie vrouwen wordt psychisch of fysiek mishandeld en 40% van de vrouwen is getrouwd voordat ze 19 jaar oud zijn. Lees verder

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 6 (Dutch)

2009-12-30T14:52:00.001+05:30

A new story on 'My Game is Beautiful' from de desk of Volkskrantreizen correspondent Jaap Scholten. Click here for article 6 "Op de motor naar Kathmandu"

[Preview]

Na het verblijf in Bodh-Gaya hadden Franz Gastler en Willem Grimminck een lange rit voor de boeg: door de vlakte van de Ganges en over de ‘foothills’ van de Himalaya naar de Vallei van Kathmandu.

Willem: “voor het eerst gaan we klimmen met de motor. Met de komst van de bergen was ook het verkeer verdwenen. Op een paar schoolkinderen na reden we alleen door de bergen met een geweldig uitzicht over pittoreske dalen met bergdorpjes en terrassen waar de bewoners hun gewassen verbouwen. Een onbeschrijfelijk mooi landschap. Na twee uur rijden (en 40 kilometer!) kwam ik op de top van de heuvel waar een ware beloning op me wachtte: het uitgestrekte Himalaya-gebergte met de Mount Everest. Een wereldwonder!” Lees verder

In the news: 'My Game is Beautiful in South Asia'

2009-12-28T19:20:00.000+05:30

Republica, a national daily in Nepal, introduced 'My Game is Beautiful' to the Nepali public.

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 5 (Dutch)

2009-12-28T15:54:00.000+05:30

Volkskrantreizen reporter Jaap Scholten did it again. Click here for article 5 'Voetballen in boedha's stad Bodh-Gaya

[Preview]

Na drie georganiseerde toernooien wilden Willem Grimminck en Franz Gastler wel eens weten hoe meiden spontaan reageren op het voorstel om een partijtje te voetballen. Vinden ze het het overal echt zo leuk? Van Dumka reden de initiatiefnemers van “My Game is Beautiful” naar de heilige stad Bodh-Gaya met de idee om de bal ergens op te gooien en te kijken wie er tegenaan trapt. Lees verder

Reflection 1: Results after 5 games and 1500 KM

2009-12-24T11:48:00.002+05:30

With the first games on tape and Christmas time ahead its time for reflection. What are the results so far?

Reaching communities

• Reaching underprivileged girls in the Indian tribal belt, the outskirts of Kolkata and in the streets of a tourist place.

• Video reports of 5 football events capturing the passion and ability of young woman in North-Eastern India.

Developing partnerships

• Support by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Jharkhand for a ‘Special Football Camp for tribal girls’ at the TATA Football Academy (TFA).

• Commitment of TATA Steel for promoting for Girls football in India and organising exposure visits to official tournaments for YUWA girls football team in 2010.

• Marketing and organisational advice by Sukhvinder Singh, head of Marketing AIFF.

• Support by Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. in Jharkhand for organising a girls football tournaments.

• Support by Usha Martin for YUWA’s launch in 2009 and youth programme in 2010.

• Partnership with national and local NGOs for organising demonstration games.

Raising awareness

Our media coverage to date has reached over 10 million people

• Radio 1 - interview (The Netherlands) – December 13, 2009

• Hindustan Times (National Edition) - “Bend it Like Beckhambhai. New Ballgame: In a village near Ranchi, a small group of girls and their American coach are learning to juggle the football – and their lives”. Sunday, December 6, 2009

• De Pers (National daily in The Netherlands) - “Tribal Girls gain self-confidence through Football”. December 2, 2009

• Hindustan Times (Eastern Edition) - “Soccer Succour: Jharkhand's tribal girls to bend it Like Beckham in Switzerland”. December 1, 2009
• Prabhat Kabar plus seven (7) other Local Newspapers in Eastern India covering 'Special Football Camp for Tribal Girls' at Tata Football Academy. December 1, 2009

• Radio 1 - interview (The Netherlands) - November 17, 2009

• Sun Current (Minnesota, USA) - “Edina Natives Making a Difference in Rural India”. October 8, 2009

• Other Press coverage in national and regional newspapers and electronic media in India, USA and The Netherlands.

Radio 1/LLink interview Willem Grimminck (Dutch)

2009-12-23T16:21:00.000+05:30

The Netherlands - Radio 1 reporters asked 'why football?' Click here for the interview broadcasted at Sunday the 13th.

Roadmap: India to Zurich

2009-12-20T19:16:00.001+05:30

Traveling from the hills of Jharkhand to the Kolkata delta and through the Ganges plains to Nepal for game no. 5. What’s next? Check the roadmap for 'My Game is Beautiful' on googlemaps

'My Game is Beautiful' - Map weergeven op een grotere kaart

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 4 (Dutch)

2009-12-18T17:34:00.001+05:30

Jaap Scholten launched a new story on 'My Game is Beautiful'. Check article 4 'Kolkata'

[Preview]

Na het voetbalkamp bij Tata Steel in Jamshedpur zijn Grimminck en Gastler op zaterdag 5 december op de motor gestapt richting Kolkata. De etappe van ruim 300 kilometer was eenvoudig. “Voor het eerst reden we op iets dat op een snelweg leek. Dat gaat sneller maar het blijft oppassen.. Je komt er namelijk net zoveel voetgangers, vreemde motorvoertuigen en hele kuddes koeien tegen als op de gewone wegen. Ook zagen we vrouwen die hun pas geoogste rijst uitspreiden op de snelweg om het te laten drogen”, aldus Willem. De motorrijders reden Kolkata binnen over de Vidyasagar Setua, de enorme hangbrug over de Hooghly-rivier.

Voor het hele artikel klik hier

Report from the field: Game 2 – Football at TATA city

2009-12-18T15:25:00.000+05:30

‘Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man; for sooner or later the man who win is the man who thinks he can.’ – Tata Football Academy brochure

Click here for Game 2 pics

From tea to ten-tonne trucks, Tata is everywhere in India. It is the iconic Indian company. Yet for a 100 year-old giant, Tata is surprisingly young at heart. Take the family of five off the 100cc motorcycle and put them in a real car for two thousand dollars? They can do that. Few people thought the Nano was really possible, but for the Tatas like Adidas, impossible is nothing.

For the Tatas, ‘Sport is a way of life’. Even Tata Steel’s chief of corporate sustainability services, Mr Satish Pillai, is a former international athlete who represented India at the Asian Games in athletics. So when the our friends at Tata Steel offered to sponsor a week-long training for twenty-five girls from Yuwa’s teams at India’s top football academy (theirs), we thought what better place for Game 2?

It was a big event for us, our three coaches, and our girls, but also for Tata. Yuwa was the first girls team they had ever hosted – and from the kitchen staff to the head coaches, they did it with all the class you would expect of a century-old company.

However, as Franz mentioned in the last up-date, getting thirty of us down to Jamshedpur hours before a maoist strike closing the state's roads wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.

The plan was to leave Sunday, so I was going to take Saturday say goodbye to my friends in Ranchi. After two years in the city, I had finished my post working for survivors and children vulnerable to human trafficking, and wanted to thank everybody who had helped me along the way. But the announcement of a moaist strike threatening to violently disrupt any travel put a stop to my party plans.

The strike marked the beginning of a new episode in my life. After first gauging the threat (very real) of travelling on Sunday with Franz's team and Rahul Singh (head of CII's Jharkhand office) who had helped us to organize the training, we came to the unfortunate decision we would have to leave after the three-day strike, and cut short the training camp. Then we changed our minds and decided to try to leave that very day. We had all worked too hard for this, and the girls were hugely disappointed to have their time at training camp cut in half.

I started packing and distributing a few last sweets (Indian tradition) to my saati’s (friends). In the meantime Franz, Helena (Yuwa's program director) and her husband tried to organise transportation for the girls from Ranchi to Jamshedpur, but sunset the girls where still waiting with their luggage on top their heads in the village. Most buses were out of service due to the upcoming strike, and three SUVs that had confirmed never showed up.

In a final attempt, I went to the bus station and somehow found a lone bus, destination: TATA. I was biting my nails as the bus company threatened to sell the thirty seats I reserved. Meanwhile, Franz was chasing down four auto-rickshaws for the girls along the highway near Hutup, 20 km away. At the last possible minute, they appeared in the station.

By this time it was dark. The girls and coaches boarded the bus, and drove off in a cloud of dust, with Rahul following in his car. Franz and I rode off to get my bike and said a final farewell to our Ranchi crew (Mark, Rachel and Mahesh).

So the first leg of our journey was at night, hours before a maoist strike, on an unfamiliar road amid trucks having at least one light working if we are lucky. Arriving at Jamshedpur was for us a great victory.

That feeling stayed with us that whole week, even after the excitement of having avoided the strike faded away.

For the girls it was something beyond amazing. None of the girls had been away from home so far for so long. The first day Franz spent a couple of hours teaching the girls to tie their shoe laces and to wash their hands with soap before eating. I enjoyed watching their excitement at this adventure and the luxury of three full meals a day – and not having to cook anything themselves.

After a day of getting used to their temporary dormitory in JRD Tata Stadium, they started their training at Tata Football academy (TFA).

The first thing I noticed was that the coaches are genuinely interested in the talents of the girls. I could see that it naturally brought the best out of the girls without knowing it themselves. Coach Vijay Kumar commented one morning that he believes the most important thing is that the girls have fun – ‘you can’t do anything by force’. It might be common sense for us in the West, but living in India for two years it felt as if I heard a revolutionary speaking. In the most places I visited in India girls are bossed around and nobody asks themselves how that might feel or if the girls want to do what they commanded to do.

The girls' work on the field was rewarded with great cultural programs, and the girls took trips in the brand new TFA bus to a tribal dance competition, the zoo and a laser light show, where they danced in the stands. To understand the experience of the girls I compared the town that orbits on the gravity of TATA to a trip to Disneyland.

For us, the solid relationships we established during the training camp is promising for the future. Satish Pillai, who is chief of TFA and Corporate Sustainability Services at TATA Steel Limited, said to us, “Nothing brings a community together like sports.” Together we discussed how to promote football as a tool for development. The first steps in 2010 will be 1) residential training camps for Yuwa girls at TFA, 2) special trainings for Yuwa coaches at TFA, and 3) fielding a girls team by the Jamshedpur Football Association.

After the closing ceremonies on Saturday, we said a sad goodbye to the girls and coaches. The girls gave us a high five and wished us good luck on the trip – not completely realising where we are going to and what for. Heading off towards Kolkata by bike I wondered what their parents would have to cope with when their girls came home from the camp.

After dark we stopped in Karagpur, West Bengal for a good night's sleep. Stay tuned for the next blog post.

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl: article 3 (Dutch)

2009-12-09T12:07:00.001+05:30

Our weekly reporter Jaap Scholten is following us closely. Check article 3 'Voetballen bij TATA Steel’on Volkskrantreizen.nl

[preview]

Wie in Jharkhand wil reizen in een verkiezingsweek, moet weten waar hij of zij aan begint. Het streekvervoer ligt plat want alle bussen worden geconfisceerd om kiezers naar de stembussen te rijden. Veel scholen en bedrijven sluiten simpelweg. En daarbij komt nog iets anders: de ‘bandh van de ‘Maoists’. Deze links-extremistische beweging ligt al vier decennia in een slepend conflict met de Indiase overheid en is actief in bijna de helft van de Indiase regio’s, daaronder Jharkhand. De recente verklaring van de overheid voor eens en altijd korte metten te maken met de beweging in combinatie met verkiezingen deed de gemoederen natuurlijk verhitten. Eén van de gevolgen was het uitroepen van een maoïstische ‘bandh’ wat protest en staking betekent in het Hindi. Niet dat iedereen daar nu vrijwillig aan meedoet, maar wie toch de auto pakt of z’n winkel open doet, riskeert represailles.

In the News: Jharkhand's tribal girls to bend it like Beckham in Switzerland

2009-12-04T18:33:00.000+05:30

The local edition of Hindustan Times, India's second most read newspaper, covered game 2 in Jamshedpur.

Report from the field; game 1

2009-12-04T18:20:00.000+05:30

I may ruin the suspense by telling you we're already down in Jamshedpur, home to TATA Steel. We're comfortably settled now at the athletes dormitories at J.R.D. Tata Stadium, and with us are our three coaches from Yuwa and twenty-five of our Yuwa girls. But getting to here was no walk in the park.

Click here for the game pics

Let me start two weeks back, before the maoist bandh that nearly kept us in Ranchi. The word 'bandh' in Hindi means 'shut down' or 'closing'. Jharkhand is known for insurgency and chaos outside the two major cities of Ranchi and Jamshedpur, but the current election together with the central government's plans to clamp down on the maoists has been stoking the coals.

While I was in Delhi with Helena, our program director, and three kids we selected to represent Jharkhand at the National Children's Assembly, the girls and coaches back in Hutup were preparing for Game 1 of My Game is Beautiful. The girls from our three teams, now up to fifty-five, continued their cold, pre-dawn regimen of getting to the field in the dark, practicing for three hours before heading off to school. Their new Yuwa track jackets lugged back from Delhi have been dampening the bite of the cold, but for the forty who don't yet have shoes, the toe-numbing ground is still testing their commitment.

Looking back on our first tournament in March, it's amazing what eight months and maybe a thousand hours with the girls and coaches can accomplish. Making this tournament was a piece of cake. Our coach, Anand, energetic multi-tasker as always, was busy working with the girls on their song-and-dance numbers for the welcoming ceremony. The sound system came from Neelum's (Hutup assistant captain) brother, and all the fixings for a dinner for sixty were purchased and prepared. This was financed from the girls' savings till I returned from Delhi with the funds (around $100, or a month and a half's wages for most of their families).

Game Day

Sixteen soccer girls in saris welcomed our guests, dancing in adivasi style, moving along in two columns alongside guests and singing. I thanked our teams, told them I was proud of them, and what I've seen change since I arrived eighteen months back, in Hindi I'd been practicing on the train with Helena. Then eight Hutup girls, led by Shivani (age 9) and Neeta (age 10) – nicknamed Chungu and Mungu after two comic dwarves on TV – wowed the crowd with a Nagpuri dance, before the full sixteen sang a hip Hindi welcome song. Our chief guest and good friend, Rahul Singh, a dashing lad heading Confederation of Indian Industry's Jharkhand office, gave the keynote speech, and talked directly to girls of Yuwa, who he has come to know well. He told them about the goal of 'My Game is Beautiful', and said lots of things we would have liked to have if we could speak better Hindi. Finally, Willem and Helena welcomed everyone and got the players pumped-up with some words of encouragement before the first two teams took to the field.

First match, action-packed from the coin toss, brought together neighboring village rivals Adivasi Yuwa Club Hutup and Yuwa Young Girls' Club Rukka. Hutup is our first team, training since March, and it showed. Usha (class 8), the middle sister to Reena (captain) and Puspa (star defender) – but more regular than both in practice – sprinted up the near side putting three missiles only inches wide of the bamboo goalpost on the right side. Sita (class 9), whose fifteen-year-old sister was married off this spring, dribbled around multiple Rukka defenders, launching a couple of left-footers just wide of the left side pipe. Sita's a serious and hard-working girl at practice, and puts a lot of pressure on herself to carry her team and score goals.. She's the second of five sisters (no brothers), and her parents eke out a living selling rice beer. Unless something big happens for her, she knows her parents will send her out the door next. So for her, Yuwa programs and football are a serious affair.

Hutup goalie, Binita (class 10), didn't get much action either half with the Shivani, Puspa (a star since day one who has swapped her yellow dress and red bandanna for Adidas gear sent to us from Germany) and the powerful Poonam (age 17, working to get back into school) on defense.

Luck held for Rukka with the game going to a draw, decided by a shoot-out. Neelum (Hutup assistant captain) went in for Binita as goalkeeper, making some impressive slides and dives, but in the end it wasn't enough after she put a graceful shot past Rukka goalie Sudha's head – unfortunately it was before the whistle. Her next shot went right to Sudha's hands. Yuwa's Rukka girls won by a single shot and went wild.

There were cheers, a few tears and some jeers from the town drunks, but hands were shaken and our girls were good sports in victory and defeat.

Final match - After their tough loss and a few minutes moping behind the spectators' tent, Adivasi Yuwa Club girls (which we usually call “A team”) got back to the sidelines to cheer on their younger neighbors, the similarly named Yuwa Club Hutup (which we usually call “B team”). Started by Hiralal, one of our coaches, B-team is mostly made up of his seven- to fourteen-year-old cousins. They're an ever expanding bunch (presently nineteen), and not yet in possession of shoes or jerseys, so there's still lots of local flavor to the kits, a sort of potpourri of salwar kameez, kurta pajamas and dupattas sailing by.
It was a foregone conclusion that B-team was going to get creamed by the older, bigger and more experienced girls from Rukka, but in contrast to their rather ladylike appearance, the girls of B-team were ready for battle. Right off the first touch right-forward Poonam (age 13) caught a pass from the center, carried it up, cut back, gave it a whack and almost put the leather between the bamboo, but missed by frog's hair, as my grandfather used to say. Minutes later she nearly scored again.

Remarkably, this game too went to a draw. To give you an idea of the spirit of the B-team girls, when the mercury started dipping and the cold kept the other teams in bed an extra half-hour, these girls packed up empty cement, fertilizer and seed sacks with sticks, dry leaves and cow pies, got to the field at the usual dark hour and made little fires next to the field to warm their fingers and toes. During the match I was particularly proud of one particular girl, Lalita, who was with us way back on our very first day of football, but who kept getting nudged off the first team by a few of the girls. Maybe she wasn't family, maybe she wasn't the best player, but whatever it was, she's joined back up and started making her mark on B-team, and got a few big kicks off playing defense.

But the stars were still aligned on this particular Sunday for the girls from down by old Rukka dam, and in the end the shoot-out went their way for a second time, making them champions of the first tournament of 'My Game is Beautiful'.
There was a quick post-tournament exhibition match by the village boys in which I put my much improved (but nothing to write home about) skills to test against guys who actually know what they're doing. In the first few seconds I made a lucky steal from Anand and was pretty proud of myself for taking a flying ball on the forehead, but after using up all my good luck on those moves, I'm afraid I didn't contribute much. On the other hand, all four goals scored on both sides were put in by Yuwa coaches and members Anand, Hiralal and Dharam, who paints logos on all of our footballs. That's significant because some of the older players in this match have given the girls trouble in the past, taking over their field, playing over top of them, kicking balls right past them at full force, and that sort of thing. So the girls cheered loud for their coaches and friends, who put on the only real show to speak of.

Near sunset, the Sunday finally ended in Hutup village outside Seema and Suman's house (eleven-year-old organizer of our first team), with dinner for sixty. Reena, Usha and Puspa's mother managed the whole affair from huge pots and an outdoor chula.

As Willem and I made our last preparations for departure it could have been a sad day. But instead of riding off alone for Game 2 in Jamshedpur, we would have twenty-five of our girls and three coaches in tow.

Willem will be reporting on that adventure very soon..

Coverage of game 2 by major daily newspaper in The Netherlands

2009-12-03T18:46:00.000+05:30

De Pres, a nationwide daily newspaper in The Netherlands, published an in-depth article on the second game of 'My game is Beautiful' in Jamshedpur.

[Preview]

De Nederlander Willem Grimminck probeert in India meisjes via voetbal zelfbewuster te maken.

Het is moeilijk voor te stellen dat de zelfbewuste meiden in trainingspak op het voetbalveld een jaar geleden nog op blote voeten en met een gevulde zak als bal speelden. Met kracht speelt Sita (14) de bal naar Puspa (13), terwijl hun teamgenoten luid elkaars naam roepen om aandacht. ‘Het is prachtig hoe het zelfvertrouwen van deze meiden is gegroeid’, zegt Willem Grimminck. ‘Voetbal kan hen bewust maken dat ze talenten hebben. Daarbij biedt de groep ze een platform om over hun dagelijkse problemen te praten.’

Kijk voor het hele artikel op e-paper pagina 22 of op de website van De Pers.

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl (Dutch)

2009-12-03T17:20:00.000+05:30

Check article 2 'De aftrap' online.

Willem talks about "My Game is Beautiful' (Dutch)

2009-11-25T13:16:00.002+05:30

Watch Willem talking about "My Game is Beautiful' on the football field. Click here

Budget up-date

2009-11-19T22:41:00.002+05:30

Our budget has increased slowly over the last week. From 50% we are now at almost at 60% of our target budget. Thanks to all the donors for your generosity.

The project is on but we still need support! Will you help? Join us and donate at http://www.yuwa-india.org/ ‘My Game is Beautiful’ or ask for banking details.

Many Thanks,

Franz & Willem

Kick-off tournament at Sunday the 22nd of November

2009-11-19T22:39:00.000+05:30

On Sunday the 22nd of November we Kick-off with a tournament in our hometown Ranchi. The YUWA girls will demonstrate their skills against local teams, knowing every hole in the peddy-football field. They are ready for football! Check the latest pics from the early morning football practice.

Partnership with All India Football Federation - AIFF

2009-11-19T22:33:00.000+05:30

AIFF conveyed its commitment to support ‘My Game is Beautiful’ by means of local football facilities and accommodation in India.

AIFF is the Indian national football federation and member of the Asian Football confederation (ACF). ACF is the governing body of Asian football and one of the six confederation that making up FIFA. (http://www.the-aiff.com/)

Working with AIFF creates professional linkages for the football initiatives on our trip and a foundation for expanding football in the Indian development sector.

We wish to express our gratitude to AIFF for its support.

Franz & Willem

Weekly on Volkskrantreizen.nl

2009-11-19T21:35:00.022+05:30

‘My Game is Beautiful’ – the journey for woman football in social development will be reported on weekly basis by correspondent Jaap Scholten on volkskrantreizen.nl. Check article 1 online.

Working with Jaap at Towers Perrin in Amsterdam from 2006 to 2008 I have been familiar with his passion for traveling and writing. As travel writer and guide, Jaap wrote six travel guides on Portugal and Sicily and Spain where he lives. www.odyssee-reisgidsen.nl

Jaap will tell the story of the land we travel and the children we meet. It will provide readers with an opportunity to learn about childhoods in different parts of South-Asia and how football contributes to social development.

It’s great to have Jaap on board.

Willem

Game on for Woman Security Guards

2009-11-15T10:45:00.003+05:30

The game was undecided after full-time. Unfortunately, we lost the final penalty shoot-out by 2 goals! The security guard trainees in our livelihood programme organised a football game for my farewell party at Burmu villages in Jharkhand.

Entering traditional male-dominated labour markets for security guards takes more then technical skills. It requires determinacy, self-esteem and social competence. After the first batch of woman security guards started the training focussed on self-defence, discipline and movement registration we introduced football to awaken soft competencies.

Their game beautiful game!

Thanks to all the girls and BKS for organising the party.

Willem Grimminck

(Click here to see the whole album)

RADIO 1/LLink interview Willem Grimminck (Dutch)

2009-11-11T15:44:00.000+05:30

Willem Grimminck live on Radio 1 /LLink about "My Game is Beautiful', click here (the interview starts at 2:07 on the tape)

Game 2 at TATA in Jamshedpur

2009-11-10T19:49:00.000+05:30

Confirmation TATA Football Academy (TFA)

Today, November 10, 2009; TATA confirms to organize a game for ‘My Game is Beautiful’ at TFA. TFA is a sports initiative from one of the world’ largest steel factory. TFA has the reputation to produce international talent. Winner of the Haarlem (NL) cup in 2004. YUWA club ‘team A’ girls join us on our trip for a training camp at TFA. After leaving Ranchi we expect to be at the TFA in Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) on the 24th of November for our second game.

Franz & Willem

Budget up-date

2009-11-10T13:09:00.000+05:30

Our budget is now sponsored for 50%. Thank you for your support!

The total budget is divided over 20 games and a few tournaments. So, currently we have 10 games and 1 tournament covered. Similar donors (e.g family or friends) are combined in groups as they can jointly sponsor a game. Please have a look at the overview. (click on graph for full-size). Like every game has a second half. Help us to reach our final budget by joining or starting a game, click at, http://www.yuwa-india.org/

Thanks, Franz & Willem

In the news

2009-11-10T13:03:00.000+05:30

Radio Nederland Wereldomroep (RNW) published a fantastic article about 'My Game is Beautiful'. Click here.

Welcome

2009-11-10T12:16:00.000+05:30

Welcome to our blog ‘My Game is Beautiful’

‘My Game is Beautiful’ is a challenging project promoting football for youth development in South-Asia. In two months time, we will travel by motorcycle from India to FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Along the way we will organize twenty football games in South Asia – India, Nepal and Pakistan – in collaboration with local NGOs. By recording the voices of unknown but talented young women in South Asia, we aim to tell the story of how football is rewriting expectations, building life skills and empowering young women to make a change in their world. We will parlay their visual, street-level petition for recognition to both FIFA and a global audience through both news media and internet. In doing so, we will present the case for FIFA's greater involvement in this important region, as well as build and strengthen our current YUWA coalition with new partners inside and outside South Asia.

Join us!

Franz & Willem
http://www.yuwa-india-org/