Roemer was given basic lessons in the American sport of ultimate (earlier known as Frisbee) by slum children on his visit to Gandhi Ashram on Tuesday.
Moments after he said that his country had instructed Pakistan to target terror havens, US ambassador Timothy Roemer was given basic lessons in the American sport of ultimate (earlier known as Frisbee) by slum children on his visit to Gandhi Ashram on Tuesday.
Unfazed by the endless clicks of the prying cameramen and brawny cops in circular ring, the kids stumped the US envoy with their razor sharp passes. The swerving disc flew thick and fast as Roemer tried his best to clasp it while warming up.
The kids from the nearby slum areas are trained by Ahmedabad Ultimate, a group promoting the sport in the city. “We were told not to disclose the information so we only told them (kids) that they will be meeting someone important,” said Dushyant Gandhi, project director.
However, the initial briefing of going slow with their passes by the embassy authorities was largely forgotten, as the kids, buzzing with energy, took their game to the next level. Done with the symbolic participation, Roemer decided to stay away from the actual game and observed the proceedings from the sidelines.
The US ambassador later emphasised the importance of sports as being a cultural unifier in bringing people together across divides of class, region, and religion. He also termed the move as sports diplomacy.
“Sports diplomacy is something I have enjoyed doing for some time now. I love to engage people. I am particularly interested in understanding what young India is thinking, what suggestions they have,” he told DNA.
He added that playing with the kids was one way of forging new friendships.
“Playing Frisbee is a way of building friendships with people outside our communities. When I asked the kids what they enjoyed the most about the game, they all said it was the opportunity to build new friendships,” Roemer added.
Too overjoyed with their moment of fame, the kids in their interaction with the US envoy even sent out an invitation to President Barack Obama.
“It would be great if your president comes here and plays with us and celebrates our festivals,” quipped one, when asked by Roemer about the message they would like him to carry back.
At the Gandhi Ashram, Roemer visited ‘Hriday Kunj’ and also spun a charkha. He later visited Gujarat Vidyapith and understood the process of khadi by the non-teaching staff members. Later, he also visited the SEWA’s Hansiba outlet and purchased a shawl.
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