The Bali Sports Foundation whose motto is ‘sports change lives’ was founded by a group of people who saw the need to make a difference in young people’s lives in Bali, Papua and East Indonesia through sports. Connecting young people through sport, linking them with mentors, providing exposure to new learning opportunities, enhancing the lives of the disabled through sport, training of trainers in disabled sports, assisting the disabled to improve their overall health, spotting talent and providing support are the laudable goals of the organization.
Currently more than 700 children are receiving the benefit and support of the foundation’s programs to enhance their lives. Among their success stories is the junior ruby team whose players are in the national junior team, Swim 4 Kids, that trains underprivileged children around Bali to swim, basketball programs in orphanages, wheel chair basketball, self defense classes for underprivileged girls and boys, establishing rugby leagues in rural areas, developing and promoting women’s contact rugby in Indonesia and establishing junior cricket teams. Training and competing in martial arts, beach cricket tournaments, ocean swims, soccer programs, weightlifting, for girls and boys, training and competing in the traditional sport of stick fighting, encouraging participation in international tournaments through mentoring, funding and equipping athletes are also among the organization’s programs. In order to improve their team and athletic skills and to build social networks, the foundation’s junior teams are encouraged to participate in matches in destinations around Indonesia and Singapore. Anantara Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa, one of well located Uluwatu hotels is just the place to stay while volunteering at Bali’s charitable organizations.
Fundraising is also one the main activities of the foundation. This is accomplished by a series of fun activities that includes a planned 100 km walk from Nusa Dua to Unjung Water Palace on Bali’s east coast and annual Bali Ocean Swims, open to serious and recreational swimmers at Kuta beach. Funding is also obtained through corporate sponsorships. The foundation welcomes sports volunteers to conduct existing programs and to develop new programs to expand its repertoire.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.