{"id":21199,"date":"2025-12-17T09:11:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T08:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connexio.ch\/hope\/nicht-nur-sport-wie-mehr-als-boxen-junge-menschen-aufrichtet\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T07:00:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T06:00:42","slug":"nicht-nur-sport-wie-mehr-als-boxen-junge-menschen-aufrichtet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/connexio.ch\/hope\/en\/not-just-sports-like-boxing-but-more-than-that-it-lifts-young-people-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Not just sport: how \u00abMore than Boxing\u00bb lifts young people up"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Not just sport: how \u00abMore than Boxing\u00bb lifts young people up<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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At the end of November 2025, the ninth \u00abYouth Gala\u00bb took place in Cluj-Napoca (Romania). This event honored projects carried out by and with young people. The \u00abMore than Boxing\u00bb program was awarded first place by the juries in two categories. What may come as a surprise is that this program is not backed by a sports club, but rather is a touching form of \u00abchurch for others.\u00bb.<\/strong><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Around 150 projects were submitted in the run-up to the \u00abGala der Jugend\u00bb (Youth Gala) \u2013 in the categories \u00abInclusion and Diversity,\u00bb \u00abGreen, Ecology, and Sustainability,\u00bb \u00abCivil Society Engagement,\u00bb \u00abEmployment and Employability,\u00bb \u00abHealth and Well-being,\u00bb \u00abArt and Culture,\u00bb and \u00abEducation.\u00bb.<\/p>

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Double recognition for a versatile project<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Those responsible for the close cooperation with the Evangelical Methodist Church in Cluj-Napoca<\/a> The jury for the associated program \u00abMehr als Boxen\u00bb (More than Boxing) had selected two categories for their work with young people in the city: \u00abInclusion and Diversity\u00bb and \u00abHealth and Well-being.\u00bb The juries for both categories were so impressed that they awarded the program first place. In order to highlight and recognize other valuable initiatives, it was decided to award \u00abMehr als Boxen\u00bb only in the \u00abInclusion and Diversity\u00bb category.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Roots and network of the program<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u00abFounded in 2024, \u00bbMore than Boxing\" is a program run by the diaconal branch of the EMK in Romania, which operates as an association. Phoneo<\/a> Seven other NGOs and three sports clubs later joined as partners and contribute to the implementation of the program. However, the roots, identity, and overall coordination remain with Phoneo and the EMK in Romania.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The proud coaching team <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Boxing as a gateway to personal development<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The aim is to use boxing as a gateway to comprehensive and profound personal development. This project brings together what society tries to divide. Around 150 young people take part each year. They are recovering from drug addiction, are traumatized, belong to the marginalized Roma population, have fled to Romania from another country, live with a physical disability, or face other challenges. What unites them is their vulnerability, their isolation, and\u2014in many cases\u2014their lack of self-esteem.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mentoring, therapy, and community<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As the name suggests, boxing is only part of the program. In addition to individual and group training and participation in competitions, mentoring, counseling, and therapy are equally important elements. It is this combination that has a promising effect: young people are strengthened in their identity and self-esteem. Through the appreciation they experience, they take significant steps in their personal development. They feel that change is possible \u2013 because they are part of a community where they are seen as people, not problems. They open up and learn constructive ways of dealing with difficulties. This builds trust and confidence for the present and the future. Another factor that should not be underestimated is the credible and reliable leadership provided by people who have themselves undergone the transformation that they are working towards with the young people.<\/p>

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<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A sign of blessing and encouragement<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Anca Beu, who coordinates many of the EMK's projects and programs in Cluj-Napoca, describes the award as a great encouragement for the entire team. \u00abThe start was a step into the unknown, with no guaranteed funding. And our journey to get here has meant a lot of work, constant effort, moments of disappointment, limits being tested...\u00bb The award does not change the direction or values of \u00abMore than Boxing.\u00bb Rather, it is a sign of God's blessing on the work He has entrusted to them. \u00abIt strengthens our belief that God is present in our work and that He is using this program to bring hope and healing into the lives of young people. At the same time, we also see this recognition as a sign that we are succeeding in integrating spiritual work into everyday life in the city in a discreet and very practical way. We want to be the hands and feet of God in the lives of these young people, not by proclaiming our faith loudly, but by letting our actions, relationships, and constant presence speak for themselves.\u00bb<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Anca Beu at the award ceremony, zVg <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Text based on sources by Anca Beu<\/p>

Featured image: Young people participating in the program\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Your donation helps!<\/strong><\/h5>

The Methodist Church in Romania is committed to dialogue and has various projects aimed at integrating marginalized people into society. To this end, it seeks supportive partners, including those outside the Methodist network.\u00a0<\/p>

If you would like to help ensure that your work benefits even more people, we would be delighted to receive your contribution!\u00a0<\/p>

Connexio hope, Zurich,
IBAN CH09 0900 0000 1574 7657 4
\u00abOverall work Romania\u00bb<\/p><\/div>

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