In the recently concluded Laureus World Sports Awards 2019, many sports personalities from Novak Djokovic to Arsene Wenger were awarded for their various contributions in the field of sports. This prestigious award was even presented to Indian based NGO – Yuwa.
In the recently concluded Laureus World Sports Awards 2019, many sports personalities from Novak Djokovic to Arsene Wenger were awarded for their various contributions in the field of sports. This prestigious award was even presented to Indian based NGO – Yuwa.
The NGO was founded in rural Jharkhand in 2009 by Americans Franz Gastler and Rose Thomson Gastler. They are using football to improve the lives of young girls from disadvantaged communities and from regions where child marriage is prevalent.
They are currently covering 450 girls - some amateurs and some who have gone on to become coaches. It is also a day-boarding school with 95 students and are planning to turn it into residential in the next couple of years.
Out of the many girls, Neeta Kumari, Hema Kumari, Konika Kumari, and Radha Kumari where there to receive the Sport for Good Award in Monaco. They were handed the trophy from Arsene Wenger, the erstwhile Arsenal boss and one of the top managers in world soccer.
It was in 2004 when the cricket teams of India and Pakistan won this award for spreading the message of peace through sport. Most recently, Magic Bus from India won the Laureus Sport for Good award in 2014.
“The award came as a surprise. In December we were told about it. That the academy members wanted to recognise the work we were doing is incredible,” Gastler said.
The girls, while in Monaco, indulged in some street football and Brazilian World Cup-winning captain Cafu, Wenger and Becker were trying to match their skills.
Wenger also praised and girls saying, “At least they were trying to play as a team. In football, 11 selfish people play together. The girls were good technically. The 21st century will be for women only and this is the right way”.
Five-time Olympic champion swimmer Missy Franklin too was inspired by the girls. "It is just so inspiring to hear their story and meet them. I am glad I could spend some time with them," said the 23-year-old Franklin, who retired from sports in December last year.
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 "(2L/2R)Neeta Kumari, Radha Kumari, Konika Kumari, Hema Kumari pose with Franz Gastler (R) and Rose Gastler (L)")
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