The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : A `sporting' hand peps them up

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Sunday, Aug 01, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

A `sporting' hand peps them up

By V. V. Subrahmanyam

Getting into the fitness mode. Photo: P. V. Sivakumar

HYDERABAD, JULY 31. The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh and the Hyderabad Council of Human Welfare have joined hands for a noble cause. They are organising a two-day sports meet for the underprivileged and street children at Lal Bahadur Stadium from today.

No rules, all spirit

That the children knew precious little about the rules and regulations was quite evident from the start. But, the spirit was never really missing. Akash, who deserted his parents in Rajasthan to appear on the Nampally Railway Station platform, says, "I was picked by my Sir

(Mohd Rafiuddin, Director of the HCHW) a couple of years ago. I like sports and am glad I got a chance to compete in this big a venue," he says, clearly overawed by the ambience.

So is the case with Veerababu of Bandar, who is now a class V student. His case too is similar - leaving his parents and somehow managing to reach this "happening city."

Talent scout

The 100-odd competitors represent a different stratum of society which is rarely looked up with esteem. Mr. Rafiuddin's seven-member team scouts the city to pick these youngsters (below 18 years) and tries to put them in schools, vocational courses or train them in their professed interests.

HCHW, a voluntary organisation surviving on funds from donors like an NRI, Novib, who takes care of the salaries of the staff, is keen to script a new life for these children. The success stories of their peers have ensured a lower rate of desertion from the organisation by these children.

SAAP gesture

The HCHW is thankful to Sumita Dawra, VC & MD of SAAP, for agreeing to provide support for hosting the Games for these children. "We are just trying to help an organisation which is keen on doing social service. We are happy to be associated with such a programme," says a top official of SAAP. In a welcome gesture, SAAP has given uniforms to all the participants and even assured them that the best of the lot would be groomed for future.

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