HOW A BALL UNITES US ALL
Integration in a new place can be challenging for newcomers. But through futsal and volleyball championships the Venezuelan refugee and Brazilian host communities of Boa Vista are forging a path forward.
Boa Vista in Brazil lights up with two hotly contested tournaments. Hundreds across the Venezuelan refugee and Brazilian host communities come together to play, watch, cheer and build bridges.
Boa Vista is the capital of the northern Brazilian state of Roraima, with seven shelters which host asylum seekers from Venezuela. Three of these shelters are for indigenous tribes fleeing from the country’s political and economic crises and the hunger and poverty created - for example the Tuaranoko shelter where the KLABU clubhouse is situated, hosts around 1300 people from seven different tribes, most of them being Warao peoples from the Orinoco Delta.
Instead of being isolated in shelters, the spirit of friendly rivalry can be felt across the public square in every match. It unites women, men and the various tribes of the shelters and local communities in play.
Five teams from across the shelters and three from refugee communities outside them take on the challenge in the Volleyball Championship for World Refugee Week, and around 40 children and teenagers from various shelters take part in the Súper Panas Futsal Championship.
Overall, hundreds join - either in spectating, or pulling on colourful KLABU shirts and lacing up good trainers or boots to play. These championships encourage everyone to access more collective sports activity areas beyond the shelters where KLABU and our partners operate, and where people spend most of their time.
The commentary of Señor Hermes, legendary ‘voice’ of the Tuaranoko shelter, rallies everyone, playing or watching.
His and the other organisers’ passion for sport whips up the championship atmosphere for all, along with cultural presentations between the games, and a much celebrated closing and awards ceremony. Señor Hermes’ beloved Tuaranoko shelter team are crowned the volleyball champions, followed by the Jardim Floresta, Pricumã and Rondon 5 shelters.
And in the futsal arena, Tuaranoko again lifts the trophy in the 14-17 age category, and Rondon 1 wins the title in the 11-13 age group. Each of the kids participating is awarded a medal and gift, and the beaming faces are a giveaway of the great energy and enjoyment of the championships.
"The game wasn't easy because Jardim Floresta shelter had a very good team. But we'd been preparing, practising every day to get our team right. Our goal was to bring Waraotuma a Tuaranoko shelter into first place and we did it."
A ball or two brings everyone together and starts a journey of acceptance.
To KLABU, this powerful truth is at the heart of the work we do and the impact we want to make with our clubhouses around the world. These championships are providing access to sports in a way that brings joy, relief and self-confidence to anyone and everyone, from women to the differently abled joining in. Win or lose, everyone plays with a champions spirit, and in Boa Vista’s case, entire communities are looking forward to a repeat event to see who can come out on top next time. So watch this space!
Our biggest thanks to the key partners involved in organising these championships: AVSI Brasil for facilitating both with such great coordination and logistics, ACNUR for the volleyball initiative, and the Súper Panas futsal project was a UNICEF Brasil initiative with implementation by the Pirilampos Institute.
"It's one of those moments that shows us why we do what we do. Seeing refugees and migrants from different backgrounds playing, cheering and having fun together makes it all worth it. The place's energy was just incredible."
00:00
