Zambia’s pioneer sporting NGO, Sport In Action (SIA)s STOP GBV program has been shortlisted for the 10th edition of the prestigious Beyond Sport Global Awards scheduled for September 12, 2018 in New York City, United States of America.

SIAs STOP GBV program uses football to engage young men and boys from schools and out of schools in exploring positive forms of masculinity and championing the rights of women and girls.

SIA has been able to achieve the projects objectives by training community football coaches and peer leaders and through collaborations with local football leagues that created a regular safe space for boys and young men to talk through real life gender issues thereby equipping the next generation of men to stand up for girls rights.

Other shortlisted organisations with their respective programs under the sport for equality category include The Umoya Foundation of India (Umoya Sports), Terres en Mêlées, with programs in France, Togo, Burkina-Faso, Morocco, Madagascar, and Cambodia, (Rugby for the Emancipation of Young Girls) and DIDESEX of Mexico (Forming a Team for Equality).

“Selected from a record-breaking 400 entries covering 50+ sports, our judges had a tough job as the 2018 entries represent our most diverse range of sports, countries and social issues to date, read the statement from the official Beyond Sport website.

The Beyond Sport Foundation will award more than $350,000 to organisations that are using sport to help make the UN Sustainable Development Goals a reality. Since 2008, the Foundation has supported over 200 organizations worldwide, providing over $1.5million in funds, and distributing over $7 million in long-term strategic support through the Global Awards.

And in a letter addressed to SIAs Executive Director, Frank Muchindu, Beyond Sport Project Officer Freddie Eastwell said: “As a Beyond Sport Official Shortlisted you are joining a renowned group representing the worlds most innovative and impactful sport for social change organisations. You will now be permanently held in esteem within the global Beyond Sport Network, and we will commit to elevating your efforts for many years to come.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Muchindu expressed delight that SIAs sport-for-development efforts were being recognised at both local and international scene. We are glad to announce that our strong-willed efforts as a sport-for-development organisation are not going unnoticed at national, regional and global level. The shortlist for the Beyond Sport Global Award in the Equality Award speaks for itself,” Muchindu said.

Muchindu further said that the quest for achievement was always at the core of SIAs business, and the organisation would continue to advance quality programmes that would change the lives of young people.