Some young Calgary students competed against the pros in a charity basketball game on Saturday while raising money for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation (ACHF).
The All Stars Charity Basketball Game, held at the Prolific Sports House in southeast Calgary, was organized by two local high school students: Jayda Bharmal and Bianca Jiwa.
Jiwa, a student at Henry Wise Wood High School, said she and Bharmal organized the event to raise mental health awareness and planned to donate to the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health — a new space, which is under construction for youth in Calgary provide walk-in psychiatric services. The center is a partnership between ACHF and Alberta Health Services.
“I’ve personally had people who have been affected by mental health and I’ve really seen the impact that it has on people [with] both their physical health and how they think, how they act,” said Jiwa.
“I just think it’s a really great reason to support him.”
Bharmal and Jiwa aimed to raise $10,000 at the event, which they achieved through donations and local sponsorship money.
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“Give Back to Calgary”
The main event of the charity basketball game was a game between a U13 girls team made up of local students and professional athletes.
Bharmal who the Dr. EP Scarlett High School said she wanted to give young girls a rare opportunity to play against professionals.
“We just thought it would be exciting for girls to play against people they wouldn’t normally meet and empower them,” she said.
One of the pros at Saturday’s game was Nik Lewis, who played slotback for the Calgary Stampeders from 2004-2014. It’s important for Lewis to get back into town and participate in community events like Saturday’s.
“I just love giving back to Calgary… [It] holds a special place in my heart,” Lewis said.
Lewis also said that after years of the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting children’s mental well-being is vital.
“Mental health is so important these days and we want to ensure that [kids] stay strong and know they matter.”
Game-wise, the girls put up an uphill battle but ultimately lost to the All-Star team 62-54. However, the girls put Lewis to the test.
“I’m far from in the condition for it, but I’m glad I didn’t die out there,” he said.
Jiwa said she hopes Saturday’s All Stars game becomes an annual event.