Ed Moses launches project for street kids

Track and field legend Edwin Moses launched a unique project for street kids, called 'Magic Bus', under the aegis of Laureus Sports for Good Foundation (LSGF) in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The nine-time 400 metres hurdles world record holder, who is the Laureus World Sports Academy chairman, said the project is aimed at promoting and projecting the rights of street children to healthy sport and recreation.

"Magic Bus classroom without walls allows the children to get sports coaching and counseling in all major risk factors associated with street and slum life, like AIDS, healthcare, hygiene and social behaviour," Moses informed.

"It's vision is to provide,

through sport and outdoor pursuits, the tools for each of the children to effect positive changes in their lives and play a valuable part in our community," he said.

Sanjay Lal, executive director and CEO of Percept D'Mark -- promoters of the event -- said Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in partnership with the Hero Group will allow 'Magic Bus' to expand its sports programme to include a thousand children across the city in the first year itself.

"The sports programme will include coaching in football, rugby, hockey, basketball and athletics at three venues -- Dharavi [in Mumbai], Cross Maidan and Oval [both in south Mumbai] -- with each child receiving seven hours of tuition each week," Lal said.

"We are privileged to have the great Olympic champion -- who won gold in 1976, Montreal, and 1984, Los Angeles, of our time in India. A brilliant sports administrator and most respected athlete," he said.