Using sport to unite diverse sets of kids isn't a new concept, but it's one constantly being put into more ambitious use. PeacePlayers International has been documented well by TrueHoop over the years. But a current NBA player is doing something similar this summer in an effort to promote compassion in the Middle East.The Los Angeles Times had a story this week discussing Laker Jordan Farmar's summer plans.
The Lakers' guard, who is Jewish, will travel to Israel to run basketball camps for Israeli and Palestinian children in association with the Peres Peace Center. The goal of the camps, which take place Aug. 4 to 11, is to bring Israeli and Palestinian children together through basketball and create a foundation for peaceful relations between them in years to come.It's a brilliant use of fame, as are most charity events players get involved in outside the scope of official league community work. NBA players do a good portion of community work during the NBA season, but ones who devote part of their summer to it stand out.
"If you can have a good time with someone you're supposed to be enemies with, and you guys can work together, things can be better for your future," Farmar said.
(Another concept oft pushed: athletes asserting a political voice. Farmar spoke at an Obama fundraiser in Newport Beach last week.)
