Hockey Outreach

BENJAMIN SPORTS FOUNDATION - HOCKEY OUTREACH

(A grassroot hockey development project)

Dakshina Kannada district towers over other districts in Karnataka (possibly with the exception of Bangalore) in terms of economic and educational development. But it is just as laidback when it comes to sports, not in terms of potential, but in terms of management, exposure and ideas. Barring a few individual events, this district is woefully lagging behind in all other sports. Hockey, the national game of India, which was once the cynosure of all eyes in this district, is now totally driven into oblivion. The golden decades of 1970s and 80s through early 90s are still entrenched in our memory, when about a dozen and more teams would fight for the district association league trophy. Most of us who have participated in sports have had our personality, character and future shaped by the sporting events of those times. Sport is not just for excellence, but for character building, personality development and for producing better citizens. The ongoing turmoil in the world, especially in Mangalore has created the need for an outlet to channelize the energies of the children into something worthwhile and at the same time provide an opportunity to them to make a career out of it. HOCKEY OUTREACH tries to do just that. HOCKEY OUTREACH, the brainchild of a few hockey enthusiasts is an unique idea conceived out of necessity to give the same rich experiences to the children (which as a matter of fact is their right) as we the fortunate children of yesteryears had. Sport is the right of every child and Hockey is the medium that we have chosen to do it. We call it CHILD EMPOWERMENT THROUGH HOCKEY.

This programme is an initiative of the Benjamin Sports Foundation, which serves to follow the principles of late Benjamin D’Souza, in empowering the youth. Most of us have experienced the selflessness, honesty and diligence of Mr. Benjamin D’Souza who one can say died a martyr for sport. He always used to say the secret to success is three Ds that is, Dedication, Determination and Devotion. This foundation aims to inculcate these qualities into its programme. This programme serves to work not with the aim of gaining monetary benefit, but only with the desire of enriching the children and youth with life skills through sport. As an outcome of the felt need of sports lovers of the district, this programme is developed towards reviving a dying legacy of the district that is HOCKEY. In due course the foundation will extend its philanthropic services to other games and disciplines as well.

Dear friends, come, join us in this endeavour. Let us give something back to the society, in whatever way possible through this programme. Your goodwill is our investment and the development of a better society through sport is the only profit that we hope to reap. Your help by any means is welcome, be it through sponsorship of equipment, financial assistance, sponsoring tournaments, prizes, providing moral support, volunteering assistance in the coaching programme and most of all by your prayers. Let us make DK one big society in which, each one cares for the other.