Basketball Blog

For World Peace KASHMIR, CHINAR

Hoops for Health. JDBASKETBALL Dialogue for mankind

Months of anticipation added to the enthusiasm as we initiated ‘Hoops for Health’ on June 26th.

The effort is the initial application of a three- year program designed to aid in the pscho-rehabilitaition of war torn orphan youth. Chinar (www.chinar.org) is an orphanage in Srinigar, Kashmir, India.

Our mission became very real to me coming off the plane seeing the breathtaking Kashmir scenery and Himalayan Mountain backdrop coupled with uniformed and armed military presence in the forefront.

Walking thru the orphanage to meet the children for the first time, I saw the shoes (20 pair stacked neatly), the bunk beds, the little reading desks, and real family photos on the wall. I noticed the housemothers dressed in their colorful parda— and the devotion and care. The CHINAR kids are a special group. One story after another is touching. Amazing – the seven year old girl who entire family died in the earthquake surviving three days in the snow- by herself; the two brothers who’s blind grandmother could no longer care for them, and on and on.The t-shirts and basketballs we gifted were super appreciated by the kids and a nice token, yet I know they deserve and need much more.

Our training ground at the Burn Hall School was located coincidentally, just a stones throw away from United Nations India / Pakistan War relief building.

Surveying the court, we realized the basket was too high for the children to reach and we needed a lower goal. Immediately, the ever helpful Athletic Director at Burn Hill xxxxxx said they would build one. Knowing we had less than 24 hours before starting, I bet my assistant coach (and former Indian National Team Captain) JAI that it would never get done.

I had to pay up! Upon arrival the following afternoon, we were happy to see that a goal was welded on the back of the basketball pole about 6 feet high. It was perfect for the 6-9 year old Chinar kids!

We started the clinic by pointing out the various lines of the court and teaching the youth how to dribble and shoot. Excitedly they giggled, they ran, they listened, they attempted dribble in a straight line, they tried to shoot on the ‘too hi to reach’ goal, they tried to kick the ball, and run for snacks. They began to learn fundamental basketball!

Although the music was discontinued out of respect for the afternoon prayer session at the neighboring mosque, we kept dribbling, laughing, playing, and learning.

“We love jdbasketball!” in broken Kashmiryenglish was the kids present to the coaches before the start of the second session. It was a touching moment, one I know I would never experience in an office in downtown Manhattan somewhere.

JAI said he noticed they were holding their heads up, smiling more, showing more and more self-confidence.

A little more calm and focused, Day 2 was actually a major improvement. We were joined by some older youth from an onsite NGO. The listening improved and dribbling was better. We even began to play some competitive games.

The long journey came to an end with a spectacular trophy ceremony. It suddenly became apparent to me that on the other side of the planet David Stern was welcoming Greg Oden to the podium for the first pick in the NBA draft. For a second I began to wonder what exactly I was doing in this picture. But, by the looks on the CHINAR kids faces, in that moment—I could see they all felt like lottery picks and we played a good role in that.

Mission accomplished, but it’s just a start!

We are now looking to raise money to hire a part- time coach to work with the kids. Ultimately we would like to see a CHINAR basketball team to play in neighborhood games. We estimate it will cost $300 (USd) a month, if anyone is interested to donate—please email Fozia directly and mention its for “CHINAR Basketball Coach Fund” at foziaqazi@gmail.com

Special thanks to : CHINAR Board Members, Shireen Qadri, Ifran Shahmiri and Fozia Qazi

and house mothers Silshada, Shahzada, Igbal, Mustifa

SayoniScholastic Books (Delhi) who have offered to build a library for the house!

Richard Epstein, of New York, NY for his generous donation of basketball books and videos.

And my sidekick Coach, JayJAI

And the CHINAR KIDS! Please remember in thoughts and prayers.

Javid, Mohmad, Growhar, Tahir, Arif, Nazir, Fahir, Sajad, Muneeb, Imtiyaz, Nayeem, Mudasir, Saleem, Zubida, Norjhan, Rubeena, Ishrat, Bisma, Jabeen, Nusrat