SEEDs members in Bangkok continue to invest in local leaders and local initiatives that develop sports programs for young people. Recently a futsal league was held in partnership with a six-member local work team. Six neighborhoods competed in two age brackets, U12 and U15. During the two-month tournament, 30 action-packed matches took place using a single round-robin format. The neighborhoods alternated between home and away games. The league chose to use existing futsal pitches in the neighborhoods to make it easier for relatives and friends to attend, as well as to bring attention to the importance of investing in designated exercise/sports space in the community. The more a field gets used, the more it gets improved!

Two of the neighborhood teams that participated in the tournament this year had a history of conflict, so a SEEDs member helped mediate an agreement to start rebuilding a positive relationship. The coaches agreed on holding a few ice-breaker activities prior to the match, and to hold the match in a neutral location. In the end, the game was a great success and the relationship between the two teams improved.

Another highlight was the use of video and social media to promote each team, the tournament itself, and individual players who exemplified the tournament’s core values. The players were always proud to see themselves, their team, coach, and neighborhood on Facebook and YouTube.

The final round in the tournament was played at a common field so that government officials, religious leaders, and parents could all participate in the award ceremony. Some gave speeches, others helped hand out trophies, and still others posed with the youth for a large group photo.