| GAM3 2008 |
|
By Noha Saied El Ahl GAM3’ locations span over Copenhagen, Beirut, and Cairo. As a nonprofit organization originated in Denmark, GAM3 runs the Middle East Street Basketball Project (MESBP) in partnership with other Egyptian NGOs, namely Nahdet El Mahrousa, Dayra Foundation for Culture and Art, Dreamers of Tomorrow, Alwan w Awtar, New Horizon, and Sawa Workshop at The Townhouse Gallery. The Aim of GAM3 is to use sports as a tool for social development. Health and fitness of the individual are very important yet public schools pay littele if any attention to it ant that’s where GAM3 comes in. GAM3’s weekly basketball practice is beneficial as a disciplined and organized enviroment that is supervised by professional adult coaches. This structured play is in contrast to the children’s local surroundings which are often very chaotic. The children who are between eight and fourteen years old are encouraged to practice fair play and to improve their basketball skills. Several children have reported that they are now winning basketball games organized by their schools. The children, who come from disadvantedged backgrounds, have displayed behavioural problems ranging from victimization to aggression, yet it has been observed that during practice they are usually so engrossed in the rules of the GAM3 that they are less likely to misbehave. It is during off-times, like before and after practice and during break, that we see problems manifested between the children. There are socio-economic, racial, and gender differences between the kids and it is interesting to see how the children integrate together over the course of the three month season. Despite their differencesm the children learn to work as a team, to respect rules, and to choose their associations based on merit rather than prejudice. GAM3 is an international urban sports organization. In Denmark, GAM3 organizes Hip hop dance classes, which are especially attractive for girls. Samples of Hip hop dance moves can be found on GAM3 website: www. GAM3.dk Music is an integral part of GAM3. Stereo equipment is provided at every practice and all participants, volunteers and coaches are encouraged to bring music to play during practice. In addition, GAM3 Cairo hopes to host local hip hop talents such as Arabian Knightz, Asphalt, and DJ Feedo. In Lebanon, Graffiti artwork was produced for GAM3 Finals in June 2008. In addition, children at the Finals tournament in Cairo will enjoy an art workshop with Egyptian Artist Mohamed Dessouky, and other members of GAM3 team who will help the children express themselves though drawing and painting using different media such as watercolor, ink, and pencil. The resulting artworks will be displayed on GAM3 Cairo’s blogspot www.bibo-gam3.blogspot.com . Both of these websites were created by GAM3 volunteer, assistant coach, and enthusiast Bibo, otherwise known as Mohamed Momtaz. Currently GAM2 Cairo hosts one hundred and twenty children in 2 GAM3 zones. By mid 2009 this number is expected to double. GAM3 is generously founded by the Danish-Egyptian Dialogue institute. |
