Aim

In 2003 the sports development project 'Suriname sports!' was launched. The aim of this project is to build and enhance sports and exercise opportunities available in western Suriname. This programme includes special consideration for the local sports infrastructure, training for rank and file and involvement of young adults and women. The project owner is Stichting Sahara, a partner of the development organisation Cordaid. The project was conducted in conjunction with the Sports Directorate within the Surinamese Ministry of Education and Public Development.

Three pillars

Stichting Sahara has been active in the Nickerie district since 1999 and in the Coronie and Saramacca districts since 2003 and is dedicated to strengthening neighbourhood organisations and to encouraging them to enrich their surroundings. Sports can be of great significance here as one of the three pillars for community development. The other two pillars are healthcare and local economic incentives.

Stichting Sahara has gathered organisations dedicated to sports and community development in the three districts. These include public organisations, sports associations, educational institutions and NGOs. A sports development committee has been formed for each region and is responsible for regional sports development. Stichting Sahara supports and supervises the process and anchors the sports development projects in the local settings. In addition, Stichting Sahara directs local working groups responsible for organising training programmes and basic sports facilities by dispatching its field workers as intermediaries in the districts. Stichting Sahara has recruited a project leader for the sports development project to handle local coordination, harmonisation and embedment of the sports development project.

Support from NKS

In the course of carrying out the sports development project Stichting Sahara required assistance in several areas and requested support from the NKS in the following fields:

• increasing sports knowledge and skills (organisational management as well as sports technique) among the local organisations.
• supplying sports equipment.
• setting up basic sports facilities in the underprivileged areas.

Current state of project & results

Although the project ended on 1 August 2006, a follow-up is planned. About 300 people have been trained, and 50 organisations have received reinforcements in 7 intervention areas. Additional ongoing sports activities are being organised in neighbourhoods, at school and at sports organisations, and more young people and women are participating.