New sports foundation in Mainz: Strong together for youth sports and inclusion!

New sports foundation in Mainz: Strong together for youth sports and inclusion!

A new path for sport will be taken in Mainz and Rheinhessen this evening: a sports foundation that aims to promote youth sports, inclusion sports and competitive sports will be founded. At the official launch of this foundation, the first chairman Baris Baglan, a former wrestler and committed athlete, who is already intensively committed to better support for young athletes and sporting projects, appears. [SWR] reports that the focus should be particularly on small clubs, which are often overshadowed by professional leagues.

With the new foundation, those responsible want to create a space in which young people and young adults can be supported with talent. This is done through financial aid, which is to be used, among other things, for travel subsidies and the purchase of new sports equipment. The foundation strives to break down barriers and support integrative projects so that people from different cultures and walks of life can come together through sport. An absolute highlight: disabled-accessible toilets should become the norm at events.

Diverse funding opportunities

The foundation offers young athletes and their clubs a variety of funding opportunities. This includes, for example, financial support for training measures that enable an agreement with school, training or work - so that the balancing act between competitive sport and the reality of life can be achieved. Compared to existing sports foundations in other cities in Rhineland-Palatinate, such as Trier or Wiesbaden, this new institution focuses particularly on individual help and a focus on the basis of sport.

In order to achieve these goals, a broad network of business, private individuals and athletes should be built. Over 50 athletes from the region have already pledged their support, which gives the project additional support.

Inclusion in sport

But the support is not just limited to financial aspects. Inclusion is also high on the agenda. For example, the Württemberg State Sports Association (WLSB) also provides financial support to support inclusive measures in sport. Inclusion here means that people with and without disabilities can experience sport together in so-called inclusive sports groups. [WLSB] emphasizes that it is up to the member organizations to implement such offers sustainably and to apply for funding for this.

The funding offer includes various measures - from awareness-raising projects to barrier-free access to training courses for trainers. Collaboration is key, and it turns out that a network of committed clubs and institutions is essential to truly live out integration through sport.

A look beyond the borders

In other federal states there is also a strong focus on the topic of inclusion in sport. The Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association of Bavaria e.V. is working to establish a comprehensive, inclusive sports landscape. Sports groups for children and young people with and without disabilities can receive financial support of up to 3,000 euros per year. [DOSB] emphasizes how important it is to reduce fear of contact and create a feeling of community.

The new initiatives in Mainz and Rheinhessen are part of a larger trend that can trigger major social changes through sport. While the establishment of the sports foundation seems promising, the responsibility now lies with those involved in sport to take advantage of these opportunities and break down barriers - both in the area of ​​competitive and inclusion sport.