4 Implementable Solutions Generated by the COVID Sports Response
While the COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected the “normal” way of living, strong belief in the problem-solving power of sports & social business has remained unchanged. Through this time, a community of people have come together to leverage sport, solve problems, and provide meaningful support to people in the midst of the pandemic.
Yunus Sports Hub developed a COVID-19 Sports Response, mobilizing a community of problem solvers from all parts of the world to develop and implement local solutions using the power of sport. Through defining how sport and citizen sport enthusiasts could help and coming together as sports leaders, the community was able to collectively develop solutions for a world in crisis.
In just over a month, the COVID Sports Response grew to include over 150 members across 7 different regions who implemented 55+ different solutions. These solutions were developed through weekly regional virtual meetings led by 10 regional leaders who aligned on a global strategy once a week.
Here are a few solutions that you can implement in your community from home:
- Sports Kits
With extra time at home, sort through your old sports equipment. Designate a spot in your community where people can come to donate their old equipment. Take the donated equipment and create sports kits! This gives people the opportunity to practice a new sport and skills. Keep in mind that some people do not have space to practice certain sports, so it might be best to keep your skis at home for now.
2. Virtual Workouts
Host a free virtual workout for people in your community. Provide workouts that are family and limited-space friendly. Resources are available for no-cost, no-equipment workouts from fitness influencers online. Virtual workouts provide opportunities to various groups of beneficiaries to stay active across the region. As an athlete or sports enthusiast, you probably have done countless workouts. Grow your platform and share your knowledge by hosting an instagram live session for your community!
3. Instagram Live
If you have an Instagram account, connect virtually through hosting Instagram Live sessions. These sessions can consist of community expert advice or a small group catch-up. While social contact is limited, utilize the internet to help yourself and others feel connected. Instagram live is a great place to build your personal brand. Use this tool to share your knowledge and expertise on a topic you care about.
4. Community Activism
Use this time to connect with a cause that you care about! In honor of the cancelled events we normally celebrate (ex. Pride Festival in June), get more active online. Promote the cause/organizations’ website, social media channels, and online events… OR find people who support the same cause and work together to create your own platform! There is power in numbers.
The members of the COVID Sports Response were pioneers in a community effort that helped redefine the value of sport in the midst of crisis. While these actions are still being designed and implemented across the globe, this is only the beginning. Social challenges will persist even after the pandemic. Yunus Sports Hub will continue to cultivate a global Sport & Social Business Community that creates pragmatic, local solutions in and through sport.
As Professor Yunus says in his book, Banker to the Poor, “..things are never as complicated as they seem. It is only our arrogance that prompts us to find unnecessarily complicated answers to simple problems.” There is no problem too big or too small! Here are some simple solutions you can use in your local community. Have another idea? Go for it! We would love to hear about it. Maybe there is someone else working on solving the same problem. Be sure to share what you are working on with the global Sport & Social Business Community.
Interested in solving problems in your community through sport? Join the Sport & Social Business Community.
