Xavier School of Management ( XlRI) on Sunday played host to the 1st-ever ‘Xl Aasha’, a unique sporting event for unprivileged students of schools of Jamshedpur, launched as a part of ‘Xlerate 2016’- XlRI’s flagship national level sports, leadership and cultural festival organized by PGDM-GM (1 year full time MBA program). Xlerate kick starts the football league tournament – ‘Xl Aasha’ to support KhelKhelMein Foundation which aims to bring competitive sports to children studying at low-income schools. The initiative aims to drive the message of gender equality, respect and team work with the help of football.
Around 60 students from 6 government schools in and around Jamshedpur participated in the 1st edition of Xl Asha. The participating teams constituted of mix of boys and girls players to promote gender harmony. The participating schools included – ADl Society High School, UMS Sarak Ghutu, ADl Society Middle School, UMS Jamshol, UMS Khunchidih
Each participating team was provided a curriculum, sporting equipments, apparels and training support by XlRI. Xl-Aasha tournament followed the format of “football3”- a unique way of playing football, conceptualised and developed by a Sports for development focused Columbian organization named “KhelKhelMein”; based on the principle that the basic values of fair play, gender equality, teamwork and respect are just as important as football skill. Named after its ‘three halves’ –a pre-match discussion, football game, and post-match discussion – football3 incorporates key life lessons into every match. Before the game, players collectively decide on the rules and subsequently reflect on their behavior and the behavior of their opponents post match with points awarded for goals as well as for fair play. The game had mediators instead of referees who facilitated discussions between the two teams and monitor the match, helping players learn to resolve conflicts themselves through dialogue and discussion.
“Through Xl-Aasha, we wish to send a strong social message of equality in diversity with the help of this unique concept. We hope all these participant students will act as torch bearer to bring the change in the society. More than winning, stress is given on fair play so that when these students go back to society they promote same spirit among community members”, commented Nitish Bhardwaj PR & Branding Manager PGDM-GM 2016 batch. Teams from ADl Society High School and UMS Sarak Ghutu emerged winner and runner-up of the tournament. The winning teams were handed over the trophy by Father James Santhanam SJ.