Goalkeeper from Chile promotes integration through sport in Freiberg!

Goalkeeper from Chile promotes integration through sport in Freiberg!

A fresh wind has recently been blowing in Freiberg's sports landscape. Benjamin Fernandez Urrutia, 28 years old and native of Chile, is not only active in sports as a goalkeeper for HSG Freiberg, but is also committed to integration. The search for new ways to promote the participation of people with a migrant background has brought him into the role of a bridge builder as an integration consultant for the Kreissportbund Mittelsachsen e.V. (KSB). As sachsen-sonntag.de reports, his goal is to connect these people with each other through sport.

Fernandez Urrutia has been living in Freiberg since the summer and is currently taking a German course to improve his language skills. “Integration is a central topic, there is something to be done,” he explains. The managing director of the KSB, Benjamin Kahlert, emphasizes that Fernandez Urrutia's experiences are a great enrichment for integration work. The collaboration with various sports clubs should help to better inform Spanish-speaking citizens about the available offers. A first step in this direction is to plan a “sports information and participation day” that is intended to promote encounters and exchange.

Integration through sport

What does integration actually mean? Similar to the word itself - the fusion of different elements into a whole - sport is also about bringing different people together. According to an article by bpb.de, sport is a wonderful medium for overcoming cultural barriers and making social contacts. Regular participation in sports activities not only promotes physical activity, but also mutual understanding and communication with each other.

The idea of ​​supporting such integrative projects is not new. KSB Mittelsachsen has been committed to integration through sport for many years, particularly in cooperation with the Chemnitz City Sports Association. The aim is not only to offer sporting activities, but also to initiate the creation of participation opportunities for people with a migrant background, who were often considered disadvantaged in the past.

A new path for many

Fernandez Urrutia knows from personal experience how important it is to make it easier to get started in the sport. “I want to help others get the same opportunities that I received,” he says as he summarizes his plans for the information day. A colorful day is planned where different sports will be presented - a practical way to get to know Dutch cultures better.

“The challenges are diverse, but there are also many success stories,” notes Kahlert. With a trained eye on the various needs of athletes in the region, those responsible hope to create a real community: one that supports each other and grows together. In sport, especially in clubs, integration can be successful if everyone involved gets involved.

Integration work in sport has the potential to not only enrich the sporting landscape in Freiberg, but also to strengthen social coexistence. This not only expands the range of sports on offer, but also creates hope for a colorful, diverse and inclusive community in which everyone has a place.