Bridges through sport – Project ‘Sport as a bridge of integration’ in Taekwondo Club Jastreb

Sport, sports activities and sports clubs, in research papers but also in sports policies, stand out as valuable tools for promoting integration and fighting against segregation. In addition to its proven benefits for mental and physical health, sport also plays a significant social role in strengthening teamwork, increasing feelings of trust and solidarity, and is an ideal platform for meeting and accepting diversity. Equally, in the process of integration, organized sports activities increase the otherwise rare encounters and networking between refugees and the local population, and he believes that they have a significant impact on their general condition and inner sense of purpose and meaning. In addition to being able to promote social diversity, past experience with projects involving sports activities shows that sports contribute to faster language learning.

As part of the project “Sport as a bridge of integration”, Taekwondo club Jastreb becomes an example of how sport can serve as a powerful tool for social integration and cultural exchange. This project is aimed at empowering refugees and promoting intercultural understanding through taekwondo.

The club organizes training sessions that are open to everyone, regardless of their background or previous experience. The club’s trainers, experienced in working with different cultures, are committed to providing education that goes beyond the boundaries of ordinary sports training. Through these trainings, participants not only work on their physical fitness, but also develop important social skills such as teamwork, respect and empathy for others.

Effects of the project

The project not only provides an opportunity for physical development, but also creates a safe environment where refugees can build new social ties, learn about the new environment and culture, and feel part of the community. Taekwondo club Jastreb shows that sport can be more than recreation – it can be a key element in the process of integration and building a better society.