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At the upcoming third seminar on sport in post-disaster intervention, Christoph Schwager is one of the experts leading sessions on preparing disaster responders in the use of sport and physical activity.

Project coordinator Sofian Labbani met Christoph Schwager and spoke with the expert for using sport in psychosocial programmes with children in developing countries about implementing sport programmes in a disaster setting.

ICSSPE: What needs to be considered in the implementation of a sports programme in a disaster affected developing country?

Schwager: Sports classes for children in an affected country must be adapted to the local conditions, must be able to manage with little material and resources, the local traditions must be respected and local cultural rules of conduct must be observed. These requirements are clear and evident, but the implementation of them in practice presents us with serious challenges.

A first step in achieving success is to create trust and convince the local authorities and parents of the purpose of teaching sport. For many, sport and physical exercise are done for compensation or physical training, so the specific use of sport and movement to promote and improve social goals and human values must first be explained.

ICSSPE: What is expected of a coach going to work in a disaster affected country?

Schwager: Analysing the cultural background of the sport in the country and knowing the political and cultural boundaries that are set are important for teachers. As is showing empathy with the difficult situation of parents and children while trying to improve their life situation in medium or long term through the use of sport.

ICSSPE: How does development work with children in doing sports look like?

Schwager: If we "Westerners" guide a sports course in a foreign country, it is rare that we directly work with the children, but we train local people who can then use the local language to instruct the children. First you act and if these local coaches reach a certain degree of self-confidence and initiative, you have to respond. Acting means to bring something in motion, to bring together the variety of sports games for children and young people to learn. To respond, means showing them how these games can be adapted for the set objectives and the local circumstances.

ICSSPE: Are there any basic rules that need to be respected?

Schwager: However the game culture in a physical education class is formulated, it always begins with three basic rules of play, as Stewart Brand from California at the end of the 1960s called for:

1. Play fair!
Be careful and respect your teammates or opponents, without them, no team sport is possible and no fruitful coexistence can be achieved.

2. Never hurt anyone!
This includes both physical and psychological hurt. The sports events in a country mirror the values and the attitudes of people dealing with each other.

3. Play intensively!
Give your best, contribute to the game and try to transfer the joy and happiness of a successful sports class into your daily life; it may improve your life.

ICSSPE has a number of current projects that are of interest to multiple sport science disciplines. More details on each project can be found here.

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