A NEW international sports initiative aiming to "bring younger people together" and offer "unique experiences" is being set up in Basingstoke.
Rotary Sport, established by Dr Tunde Adelakun, who has more than 30 years of involvement in the world of football and sports journalism is a new branch of Rotary that aims to "bring people together with the common and mutual interest of sport".
The new club, which has received the backing of senior Rotary Club members, will provide activities in crowd-drawing sports such as football, tennis, rugby and cricket, with ambitions to embark on large-scale projects to help less fortunate communities gain access to important sporting facilities.
Tunde outlined his vision to grow the organisation into a global name, aiming to make a difference to communities locally and abroad.
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He said: "It's an international organisation, born in Basingstoke, and will provide fantastic opportunities for the community.
"We will bring enthusiastic people together into a common space while at the same time looking at charitable projects which are sports-driven, this could include building infrastructure in downtrodden spaces across the world.
"We will, as a club, attend big events that align with local, national and international associations and federations through their respective foundations.
The club will provide opportunities for members to meet and share great sporting experiences, from visiting the local football and rugby clubs to international matches at Wembley and Twickenham.
He said: "Rotary Sport will provide opportunities for youngsters with talent, giving experiences to those who have not had that chance to show what they can do.
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"My aim is to keep Rotary active by engaging in activities which many people love dearly."
By partnering with various organisations, Tunde wants to "give back" to and "reward" young members of the community who may have missed out on sporting opportunities, such as young carers.
Tunde explained how he wants to "create a legacy" and "change the demographic" of Rotary, which is typically seen as a club for senior members of the community.
He said: "In my time as President of the Rotary Club of Basingstoke, I have made it my mission to engage with younger members of the community, and have done so by using sport.
"Recently we held a festival of football at the Winklebury Sports Complex, which was very well received and made for a fun day for all the youngsters who attended.
"With Rotary Sport, I would like to do more and use my platform and my relations to reach people far and wide by using sport, starting in Basingstoke."
He added how he wants meetings to be more informal, and social, rather than how a usual Rotary Club meeting would work.
"We will all gather together to watch a match, and when half-time comes we can discuss our projects."
Tunde is currently on the lookout for keen individuals with a passion for sports to help grow this initiative.
"There is a chance out there for anybody who wants to be a part of it to join us, you can be pioneering members of this global organisation starting in Basingstoke.
"Together, we will provide opportunities for less fortunate people out there with the willpower and talent that slip through the system. We can unearth them in terms of talent and infrastructure."
Those who wish to get involved with Rotary Sport International should email: rotarysport@mail.com.
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