The Third Day of Practice in Qas Qas, Beirut

The few days leading up to the third GAM3 practice had been dry and warm from the passing layer of dust that’s been hovering over Beirut, depositing a thin layer of grime on all parked cars and patio furniture left out, exposed to the elements. This Sunday’s workout however, was as bright and clear as the first true day of spring should be: the perfect morning for GAM3 Founding Partner’s Martin and Simon to visit Beirut, and a perfect day for basketball.

Due to the seasonal time change, a few coaches, children, and volunteers (including myself), were late to the practice, none-the-less the basketball drills and games went off without a hitch. Gone were the sectarian chants that we had heard from the ten year old boys on the first day, in fact, full court 5-on-5 games were played without any conflict or injuries what-so-ever, and when the under-privileged GAM3 youth weren’t dribbling basketballs and attempting lay-ups, they were enjoying the hip-hop beats throbbing from the speakers set up around the courts.

It’s not every day that children from varying walks of Lebanese society (Druze, Sunni, Shia, and Maronite Catholic just to name a few) can get together under the banner of “good sportsmanship” and “team work,” disregarding the usual sectarian issues that have divided this country for decades.

The neighborhood of Qas Qas, which GAM3 has chosen as the center for practices and games, holds a special significance. Not only does this area sit in the middle of a divided Sunni and Shia area, but more specifically, during the opposition rally held in December, an Amal supporter was shot and killed here, sparking a series of violent acts between proponents of the pro-government stance and those who side with the opposition. We hope through the lessons learned from team sports, these children will grow up with an ability to look at the other kids not just as Druze and Maronite, . . . but as Lebanese, just like themselves.