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Using sport to touch lives

ALLAN MAKI

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:11 PM EDT 29/07/07

Pair of NHL defencemen abandon comfort zone for week helping children in Africa ...Read the full article

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  1. John O'Cauley from Oakville, Canada writes: While I do not want to crush the enthusiasm and good intentions of Right to Play and NHL defensemen, it is sad that such work gets so much credit while local efforts fail to get mentioned. The media and society applauds Right to Play and celebrity athlete's efforts but the trip of Ferrence and Montador and other such trips need to be critically looked at. Are these trips a marketing and public relations exercise or are they actually making any difference? Any white person who has spent prolonged periods in developing countries will know that the privilege of being a white North American or European affords you privileges that you never earned or worked for while hard working locals will never get the same chances. Sure, you can take some pictures, play soccer and get wined and dined by locals but you always have the privlege of going back to your nice home. Instead of accounts of rich millionaire athletes, why doesn't Right to Play and the media give the platform and resources to local development workers and local athletes who live the reality of Tanzania and other devloping countries. I don't want to be cynical but can't help but feel that the above article only reinforces another form of neo-colonialism and divide between servant and master.
  2. col debeers from Calgary, Canada writes: John you raise an interesting point but I think articles that highlight activities such as this one are important to raise consiousness to otherwise disinterested and unaware masses. However, your parting comments do remind me of things in my country of birth, South Africa; white men getting credit for work that was done for decades by black men. Recently, F.W. de Klerk has been in the media for some pretty horrible things done during apartheid rule. The idea of neo-colonial structures remind me of how F.W. de Klerk received the nobel prize and got much credit for ending apartheid in the early 1990s. I don't know if de Klerk is guilty of the apartheid era crimes he is being accused of or not but the fact that his efforts overshadowed those of thousand of black South Africans (aside from Mandela) who died and suffered for justice does seem rather unfair.

  3. Kim Lidbetter from Ottawa, Canada writes: There is a sense of community that naturally evolves around team games. Certainly it can be argued that ‘sport&8217; has been tarnished by egos and endorsing the point to win at all costs in stead of &8216;playing well&8217;. I am a supporter of Right to Play as I believe we establish many tremendous relationships through play. In past & present charitable organizations have provided food, medicine and education (number & letters) but have not nourished the spirit in exchanging ideas that is naturally aroused in play. Without organizations like Right to Play the isolation will continue to overpower the additional progress that could be made.

    I hope professional and amateur athletes take note and reinvest in the children around the world who do not have the privilege of ever being encouraged to engage in recreation.
  4. Angela Cruz from Toronto, Canada writes: True, there is privilege associated with Westerners doing 'development' work. However, if every dollar went to locals doing work and no one (especially celebrities) ever went on trips to the Third World, there would be a lot fewer dollars to go around. If Oprah never broadcast from Africa, do you really think that the budgets of organizations that do work there would be as large as they are? There are already serious shortfalls in the amount of international assistance and awareness.
  5. Mario Lagacé from Canada writes: If the NHL had not sent two of its defensemen to Africa many of our fellow puckheads would not even know that continent exists. A Nobel prize to Mr. Bettman please.
  6. Dave M from Canada writes: I think these two defensemen deserve a lot of credit. They hardly seem like neo-colonialists... what an absurd term to use and offensively self-righteous. The sad fact is the media won't cover what local people are doing in these communities unless a big name from home can create some interest. And previous stories I've seen about what Right to Play is doing usually do highlight what's being done by local volunteers and employees. So good on the players and good on the G and M for doing the story.
  7. Shane Martin from Canada writes: You can be as cynical as you want about this but I take my hat off to these two young men. These are the type of role models that professional athletes should be. In this day and age this is a refreshing and welcome story about athletes trying to use their status to make a positive change. We need more like this.
  8. Howard Brandt from Hope, Canada writes: Any way you look at it, this is just a good story. And I'm dumfounded people would find something to complain about. Rich, poor, who cares? The fact these two guys aren't indifferent is what counts. But check out www.workingtoempower.org. A young BC man has committed his life to helping HIV/AIDS-infected children in Africa. He took what little money he had, authored a book on HIV/AIDS, set up an organization, and lives in Africa teaching Africans how to help themselves. He's my hero!
  9. Alistair McLaughlin from Ottawa, Canada writes: They're probably there to scout for a location for an expansion franchise so Bettman can avoid putting another NHL team in Canada. Next stop: Zimbabwe. Apparently Mugabe is planning to top Balsillie's bid for the Predators.
  10. J A from Canada writes: To the first poster, I say you should just shut your mouth and just say "good job Ference and Montador". Sure, local helpers should also get credit for their part, but what these two NHLers did was a good deed you hardly see in sports or in the general population. You talk about western privilege, but have you ever lived and spent time amongst the poor? I bet you haven't been to places like Tanzania except for vacation and cheap booze. So you can criticize them all you like, but frankly, their actions (whether they be for selfish or selfless reasons) have helped starving and sick children far more than your words. I say good job to these men, and there should be more people like them.
  11. 1938371 1938371 from Vancouver, Canada writes: Part 1: I am a Canadian. I know from first-hand experience the Right to Play. I grew up with a mostly absentee father, dyslexic and a thread of connection to my community or peers. Far removed from the sports world - I had a dream. Playing basketball. I dropped by a few courts indoors and outdoors and tried shooting. I'd receive a few pointers but it was far removed from playing basketball on any level. No community center anywhere on the planet offers basketball except for kids under 18 or those that have experience. It is easy to feel disconnected at any age. A kid who doesn't have a sport, doesn't have a game. Chess, checkers, and other board games are cool, but sweating out in a three-dimentional game, blocking, shooting and sometimes scoring is being in the game.
  12. 1938371 1938371 from Vancovuer, Canada writes: Part 2: My life changed in the same way the lives of the Tanzanian children's did when two co-workers were discussing how each summer they played basketball outdoors. Shocked - perhaps even envious, I asked and begged them to each me. A quarter century age difference - not dissimilar to the Tanzanian kids, they leaped at the chance to help me. Late March 2006 in a light rain at a local outdoor hoop, I was initiated into shooting and passing. Word got around at work that more players were needed. Guys who hadn't played for 10 years in spite of their youthful age stepped up to the key. Regardless of which team these guys were on, mine or the opposition, they shouted coaching remarks to me as we played full-court and half-court games. Summer ended way too soon that year as the Pacific rains swamped the courts. Hungry for more with modest, rough, game skills, I registered at my local community center. I certainly didn't lie about my ability - beginner - but I did lie about my age shaving off some 30 years on the form! The most important thing I learned that summer was the power of athletics and its principals of teamwork and sense of purpose.
  13. 1938371 1938371 from Vancovuer, Canada writes: Part 3: As a kid I always volunteered to help the elderly, and others before and after I got my driver's licence. And that has never stopped. But now I was on the receiving end. Ironically, pregame time chatter amongst the players revealed how playing basketball is an escape from the reality of the workplace, the family setting, and all the responsibilities of being an adult. Not for me. It is reality. Talented, and skilled, they effortlessly played game after game with 10, 20 or more years of experience behind them. The only beginner, I struggled but not without blood, sweat, bruises, minor injuries, and joy. There is no off-season here. Game time is every Monday night 52 weeks a year. Tonight a kid about 20 walked on the outdoor court where my office buddies and I continue to play summer b-ball every Wednesday night. Frenchie was his name - he "cursed" in it, too. Damn good player, 2 months in town far from his roots. H was connected and in the game.
  14. Flames Forever from Canada writes: Those who are cynical of these two players intentions, please get a life.
    Neo-colonists they are not, I don't see to many of the "politically correct" crowd going over to Africa and helping out. Always a politcal angle with that crowd. Way to go Andrew and Steve.
  15. 1938371 1938371 from Vancouver, Canada writes: Part 4: Yes, the roles were reversed. Ference and Montador helped 400 kids in Tanzania. My office buddies and a handful of players helped one old man live a life-long dream. There is no film, no script, but the memories are ours for ever - theres and mine. In spite of reminding the guys of how much I appreciate them making b-ball my game, I really don't have to say anything at all. My exciting Tuesday mornings at work says it all as I relive the game I played the night before - minute by minute over coffee. In the excitement of recall, I sound better than I am. These guys know their gift to me is life-long - the Right to Play b-ball on the planet. Anywhere. Anytime.
  16. Keshia Sichwalwe from Mississauga, Canada writes: I moved to Canada 5 years ago from Tanzania and worked in the development sector for 12 years. In Tanzania, local kids do not even know a single ice hockey player, they just see them like every other white person who flies into Tanzania whether on safari, missionary visit or development trip. All of these people come with good intentions but that is not enough. Right to Play has some good workers but Right to Play like many other international development organizations do not have a good reputation because at the end of the day these organizations do very little to give power to Tanzanian locals. Hard working Tanzanian workers who speak the language, understand the culture and want to make a difference are almost always paid much less and given the lower positions than foreign staff who have no qualifications except being rich and white. Right to Play might be doing some good work but until they stop giving their highest level positions to foreigners who spend a couple of years i Africa and then move on to another country they will never make a meaningful change but instead remove their white guilt.
  17. ray ittac from Canada writes: Keshia ---"never make a meaningful change but instead remove their white guilt"... maybe that's why I never volunteered to go...I am white and have never, ever felt guilt over that. Is there a reason I should?
  18. ray ittac from Canada writes: As for the two young men...congrats...whatever your motivation, your hearts seem to be in the right place. Don't let the crap you read here take anything away from that!

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