Playing down politics

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Sans violence and prejudices, there is a charming world and beautiful life for us to enjoy and live. The realisation has come to a set of people living in some parts of Kannur that bore the brunt of political violence over a period of years. And what really united them is a sport called volleyball.

A look-back to the past. “About six to seven years ago, volleyball was very popular here, and everyone used to play it. However, slowly, political violence crept into our lives, and that made the people forget about the affinity they had before,” says Naveen Champad, an organiser of a volleyball tournament at Panoor in Kannur.

“Recently, we thought about reviving the game as also the lost sporting spirit among the people. When we came up with the idea of starting a volleyball tournament, the response was spontaneous. Beyond politics, religion and caste, people joined hands and promoted the game. And it was a great success,” he says.

About 5,000 people watched the championship. “Earlier, there was so much hatred among the people here, that many would not talk even to their neighbours. But the volleyball championship brought back the happy times and now everyone is so friendly to each other as was the case before the political violence,” he says.

“This is also helping the youth in particular to spend their energies in positive ways. Three or four tournaments are over, and they made a difference to the attitude of the people,” he adds.

Sebastian George, brother of Jimmy George, who was among the audience in one of the tournament, says, “The government should promote sports in these regions.

Things were so smooth at the tournament that we were so surprised. In a place where blood spilled often, the enthusiasm of the people to promote sports should be seen to be believed,” he said.

“Now its a revival of sports and friendship. More tournaments should be held in the area and this will help the youth in particular. Other than politics, they now have something to team up and take on,” he said.