UPSC Articles
Social change through sports
Part of: GS Mains I – Society; Social change
Context: (Case study)
- Skateparks which were built in some villages in MP helped few skateboarders (children from poor or middle-class families and farmer families) to participate in world championships.
- Children find hope in skateboarding to pull their households out of extreme poverty.
- Skateboards, shoes and trips to tournaments are crowdfunded.
Sport heralds social change
- The sport is helping challenge caste and gender prejudices in the village.
- The sport has accorded identity to tens of children and their families.
Young skaters must stick to three non-negotiable rules: ‘No school, no skating’, ‘Everyone is equal’ and ‘Girls first’.
- This has improved school attendance.
- Boys share their boards with girls during practice hours.
- The sport has brought the village’s two communities — tribals and the dominant Yadavs — on the same platform.
- Sports create an equitable space.
