Winter Cricket Cup to keep kids away from drugs in Miao diocese
Some 18 teams are involved in the sporting competition, which will last until 25 January. Organisers envisage holding the event on an annual basis. The “lack of guidance and a suppressed need to get recognised” are the main cause of drug addiction.
Itanagar (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A group of young people in the diocese of Miao (Arunachal Pradesh) have launched a Winter Cricket Cup to help keep their fellow youths away from drugs and bad company.
The main goal of the initiative "is to deter young people from taking to bad habits, like drug use or joining criminal gangs, especially during the post-harvest festival season,” said Fr Felix Anthony, head of the diocesan youth office.
Titled ‘Yes to sport, Yes to life’, the Winter Cricket Cup is running from 15 to 23 January at the public ground of the village of Neotan. Organisers belong to the Namphai Circle in Changlang District.
Fr Anthony praised the young people for this initiative and is encouraging them "to take up more social issues that have plagued society today.”
Luckily, “the beauty of Arunachal Pradesh has not been diluted by outside forces. The rich cultures, dialects and customs are still intact,” he explained. “But sadly, most of the youth today have taken to drugs, especially in Changlang, Namsai and Lohit districts.”
The clergyman, who was the guest of honour at the inaugural match, has urged the kids "to make a difference in society. A progressively healthy youth means a healthy society."
As many as 18 teams are taking part in the inaugural edition of the tournament. James Mossang, leader of the youth group, told Matters India that they plan to organise the event on an annual basis to bring more youth from more remote areas.
“The main reason for youth going astray is lack of guidance and a suppressed need to get recognised,” he noted. “Without proper guidance, the desire to be recognised leads them, at times, to join anti-social groups. This is story of most of the youth we know.”
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