Espn–built Safe Space Opens In Mexico
A multifunctional sports space designed to support young people’s development in a safe and secure environment has opened at the heart of the Xochimilco community in Mexico City.
The project, delivered by sports broadcaster ESPN, has been developed with the support of the thinkBeyond consultancy, part of Benchmark Sport International.
It is part of a global initiative by the broadcaster, which has already seen six spaces built across Latin America and one in Southeast Asia, including: Bogotá, Colombia; Chimalhuacán, Mexico; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil; and Bangalore, India.
The new Mexico City safe space centres on a multi-sport court, refurbished with the help of community residents and ESPN and Disney employees.
It will be home to ongoing programmes for young people where they will learn job skills and be empowered to fulfill their potential, using the methodology of A Ganar, a leading Latin American sport-for-change organisation.
Employees of Street Soccer México will deliver the programme on the ground.
Russell Wolff, executive vice president and managing director, ESPN International, attended the inauguration, commenting: “At ESPN we believe that sport has the ability to transform lives, and we are committed to providing resources to enable kids in Mexico City to play sports.
“This is our second safe space build in Mexico City and we are pleased to collaborate with love.fútbol, A Ganar, Beyond Sport, and Street Soccer Mexico once again to build this court in a community where there is a need, as it can truly make a difference.”
