A network for empowering mothers through sports

A social-sports project designed for mothers will soon enter India.

The Mamanet Mothers Cachibol league is a social- sports project specifically designed for mothers, and very soon Indian mothers will also get a taste of this sport, as the organisers are establishing their network here.

The league, which is an hour-long game similar to volley ball— only difference is that instead of hitting the ball a player needs to catch and throw the ball, started in the city of Kafra in Israel.

The woman spearheading the network is Ofra Abramovitch— a 52 year old psychology graduate from Israel.

“I had a degree in psychology but after marriage I decided to devote time to my family. It was a conscious choice to not pursue a career. For years I was just a devoted housewife with practically no time for myself,” says Abramovitch.

Then one day, about 11 years ago, a friend told her about this sport.

“Initially I was a bit reluctant; like other housewives I also thought I wouldn’t have enough time for such activity. My friend insisted and I gave in. Must say, my life wasn’t the same after that,” she says.

“The major change was I got stronger physically, and that also changed the way my mind worked. I was fitter and stronger and had never felt that great before.”

After playing the sport for some time, Abramovitch thought it could be turned into a league for mothers, with tournaments at a large scale. She contacted the mayor of her city with a plan and got the local municipality and schools involved.

Teams of mothers were divided on the basis of their child’s school.

“The response was tremendous— in three months we had 110 mothers join us, and now we have more than 10,000 mothers as players,” she says.

Mamanet impacts the quality of life of women who are becoming players in the league. “Every woman can” - is not a slogan - it’s a reality, say participants.

Women practice every week and have games during the league. It gives them a reason to get out of their home, take care of themselves health wise as they become aware of nutrition -what they eat- and influence all the family by instilling healthy and active lifestyle.

“A mother impacts not only her children but the entire family and also our society as a whole. Our aim is to ensure the overall well-being of mothers, who otherwise tend to neglect themselves,” says Abramovitch.