Sport is a universal language that help overcome language barriers and cultural differences. Much research has found that sports participation can positively affect mental health. It contributes to reducing aggressive behavior and acquiring positive coping skills and it creates space for constructive dialogue. Sport unites, playing together requires collaborating with each other for a common goal. It helps to realize what everyone has in common: A passion for the game.

Since using sport contribute to ease the dire situation of disadvantaged children and youth in Lebanon, and since sport connects people at all levels, and it improve the psychological and social well-being of children and youth and to overcome risky behaviors which is in the core mission of Fingerprint of change, we implemented sports programs.

The programs covered four areas in Lebanon starting from the South of Lebanon to its North, and to Beirut and to the Beqaa. It reached around 1,100 female and male, children and youth from different nationalities (Syrian, Lebanese, PRS, PRL, in addition Sudanese and Iraqis). The age brackets of the participants were from the age of 7 to 16 years, matched in groups according to their generations. In addition, we aimed to improve the psychosocial well-being of children and youth and discourage them from risky behaviors.

Within our Sports program we implemented a number of projects intitled summer camps; Better2Gether in funded by a private campaign in Germany leaded by the sports journalist/reporter Peter Hardenacke, in coordination with Viva-con-agua and Borussia Dortmund Football team; Football3 funded by the Goethe-Institute; and Sports open days that we included in our education and culture program. We included the bellow component in the sports program:

• Training of trainers: Around 32 male and female youth from different nationalities, who are existing sports providers and local sports clubs who are identified as leaders or with the capacity for leadership, were outreached and introduce to different sports methodology including the called football3 coaching. The training moved them from the level of coaching on football to the level of becoming agents of positive social change in their communities, using sport as a tool leading to this change. During the training they acquire new information about sports activities that we presented. We were keen to present sports not only playing football, but about an overall package of sports and norms related to positive communication, non-violence, and fair play to make a change in people’s lives. It is a tool that will be transferred from the caches to the children and youth in a fun atmosphere.
• Sports camp days: Through the sports learning courses, around 740 male and female children and youth learn new concepts highlighting misconceptions they may have had about traditional football games. They play as teams; the opposing teams celebrate each victory together. Furthermore, they become involved in the planning process and are responsible for solving any problems that may occur while playing; they build new friendships and feel more belonging to their communities, especially by mixing with people from different nationalities and political and religious backgrounds.
• Sports open days: The sports days gathered around 360 male and female children and youth. Sports coach divided beneficiaries into teams, and played games that involved competition and enthusiasm. Finally, they all participated in football. The playfield included corners where different exercises/games will be implemented. In addition, inflatable game, and other playing materials were provided….
• Tournaments: the tournament always take place in Beirut area, gathering all projects participants from the four governorates. The playfield is divided into many playing areas, and the teams divided in a way that allows competition between different areas. During the tournament we spread messages like the importance of the role that youth can play in their communities, the importance of ensuring a clean environment, children and women rights…The participants were be engaged in the preparation and implementation of the tournament, responsibilities and tasks will be assigned to them during the tournament (i.e., facilitation, organization of the timing…).
• Box idea: A journalism component was added, including around 20 males and females from different nationalities. The participants learned using skills of photo shooting and do interview. The participants acquired new skill they learned how to draft interviews questions, how to address the questions and reform the answers, the processes of the camera setup, the focus. This component resulted in a short documentary.
• Training Children and youth to comment on matches.
• Distribution of shoes and sports outfits: Around one over 5 youth and children’s beneficiaries, came with a flip flop. So, the shoes were a guaranty of not starting the winter barefoots. During our program arround 975 youth and children received shoes and sports outfits, footballs and medals.

The project increased the accessibility of children and youth to sports, with a special focus on street children, girls and children and youth with special needs. Moreover, we highlighted the importance of allowing girls to participate in teams with boys, many girls showed the same level of professionalism that boys showed during the implementation.

The poorest category of children and youth didn’t have an opportunity to participate in sports activities, neither playing in a real football field, because their parents couldn’t afford to pay club fees.