By Special (in part) to The Maryland Coast Dispatch

MIZORAM, India – One of Sammy Wilkinson’s many great qualities was that he always thought of others, whether it was becoming an organ and tissue donor or helping out a teammate on the soccer field.

So it was only fitting following his tragic death several years ago at the age of 8, the result of falling through the ice at Northside Park, that his grandfather, Fred Engh, chose to help other children worldwide in Sammy’s honor.

Out of Sammy’s death was born Game On! Youth Sports, a first-of-its-kind approach that is changing lives and putting smiles on children’s faces in some of the world’s most poverty-stricken and war-ravaged regions of the world. In just four short years Game On! Youth Sports has been implemented throughout Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia and has had a life-altering impact on thousands of underprivileged children. 

Engh recently returned from Mizoram, India, where an official Memorandum of Understanding was signed to officially launch Game On! Youth Sports in the country. It also laid the groundwork for the program to eventually be held in more than 1,000 primary schools in the coming years.

The Game On! Youth Sports Initiative was developed by the International Alliance for Youth Sports as a mechanism to provide countries with sports programming for children at the school, after-school, and community levels. 

Game On! Youth Sports programs are designed to give children the ability to develop sports skills while learning how to make healthy lifestyle decisions and avoid the negative behaviors that l ead to the dangers of crime, violence, drug abuse, obesity and diseases such as HIV/AIDS.  Game On! Youth Sports will allow children to play sports and have the opportunity to rise to their highest desired levels.

Anyone interested in making a contribution to Game On! Youth Sports or obtaining additional information can contact the International Alliance for Youth Sports at 800-729-2057, or visit http://www.iays.org/gameon/