Press Release dated November 8, 2007

Shoot, Dribble and Guard – all for a good cause

Ever wondered how you could utilize your free time to be involved with your favorite game and lend your support to helping the disadvantaged? Now supporting a local basketball tournament could help an economically backward yet determined student get a good education and other basic requirements. Bandra East Community Centre (BECC), an NGO working for the socio-economic development of the slum and pavement dwellers is conducting its inaugural basketball championship to raise funds for the BECC as well as encourage sports, especially basketball, among the children and youth in Bandra East.

BECC will hold the championship at the basketball court at Cardinal Gracias High School, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051 during the period November 10 to November 24, 2007 with 36 teams and over 400 players participating

This tournament will have 3 categories: Men’s section and Under 18 for Boys and girls. A host of awards and prizes will be awarded to the participants and winners. BECC has an excellent outdoor cement court and the organization plans to hold matches under floodlights as well. We are attaching the tournament schedule for your reference and publication. We would be delighted to meet you and will be obliged if you carry information on the tournament. We will also send daily updates via email.

Starting small, BECC has over three decades made inroads into the socio-economic problems facing young, homeless slum and pavement dwellers. In order to escape abject poverty in other parts of India, a large influx of very poor families have made Mumbai their new home. In order to focus on the enormous problems of abandoned children, BECC launched its Integrated Programme for Street Children in 1991.

The Programme addresses the needs of children (usually from the early age of 5-7), who need continuous attention, well into their late teens. BECC provides not only shelter, but also parental care, education, counseling, health care, and all manner of support in order to install hope, dignity, and civic sense in future citizens.

Dignity, and escaping poverty through education, is a central theme in the work of BECC and we look forward to your support in this endeavour

Regards
Fr. Cyril D’Souza
Director
Bandra East Community Centre.
Email : beccdirector@yahoo.co.in
Mobile : +91-9819815035 / 91-22-26571548
Website : www.beccindia.org