Digicel, Ballaz Int’l encourage more father-focused events
Published:Wednesday | June 23, 2021 | 12:12 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
“A father never does what he does for recognition; you do it as a mission,” says Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer Jabbor Kayumov. The most recent mission the father of three and the team at the digital and mobile service company set out to do was to honour fatherhood, and the vital role men play in society through its Fit Father’s Day Out event. It is safe to say that it was a mission accomplished, and with the expertise and help of local football academy, Ballaz International, at the Liberty Park and Trade Winds Citrus, a full and fun programme was organised. Along with other fathers and their children, Kayumov and his youngest participated in a series of activities that tested their physical strength and mental ability, including a nail-biting football match and an intense obstacle course challenge. There were also exercise and pep-talk sessions in-between.
The corporate executive said that participating in the activities was not about winning but “a great opportunity for me, as a dad, to spend time with my son”. “My other two children are girls, who are now becoming teenagers and want to live their own life, but the little one still doesn’t mind. I can’t say I have personal experience to deal with sons - my father has three sons - but I am seeing how other parents are [here] with their sons, so getting involved is good school for me too,” he told The Gleaner.
Ballaz International said Digicel Fit Fathers’ Day Out was not one we could pass on. “We did it because it fits to our values. Ballaz is about family and creating winners on and off the field. A lot of what we do from a football standpoint is an investment into the future generation by investing in them now - developing life skills and mentorship - it’s a no-brainer to be a part of this,” said Andre Virtue, the academy’s director. He also wants to change the perception that there are a lot of ‘deadbeat’ and absentee fathers through similar programmes, activities and events year-round, which he says will make persons see more men playing their role.
family environment
As a father of two boys, Christian, 13, and Jayden, 10 and a 21-year-old daughter, who he and his wife adopted, Virtue said fatherhood is a gift.
“The boys are two very different personalities, and our daughter, we saw that great potential in her and wanted her to have that family environment to grow. There’s no particular training on how to be a father or learning patience and sharing love. These are lessons we learn day to day, the good and the bad, and you’re empowered by your children,” he said. “There is so much about the father-son legacy too, which has a wide-reaching impact, especially with the state of our country and what is happening in society; instead of talking, we have to demonstrate, so people see fathers and sons (parents and their children) enjoying themselves.”
Dane Spencer, one of the few girl dads present for the ‘day out’, explained that the pandemic cannot be an excuse for fathers and parents, in general, not to keep active and get involved with their children.
“My daughter, Reign, is just two years old, she will be three next year, and COVID-19 is basically two years old. We don’t get in as much activity as we could or should, and I like activities, especially on a Sunday morning, so the event was a fitting challenge. It is taxing or can be a lot of pressure on fathers who have to provide, and be there for their children in this type of society but with good support, I dedicate time to play and be part of her development,” he said.
The managing director of Smart Mobile Solutions further explained that events like the Digicel Fit Fathers’ Day Out act as a reminder to families and the community how important children are and how each person contributes to their growth.
“It takes a village to raise the children; for my little one, everyone who sees her or comes in contact with her automatically becomes part of her life and is part of the guidance. So, we share the development of all children here. If Reign is interested in playing the sport, it doesn’t matter. She may not play but what matters is that she at least enjoys the time she has out. For all children, it could be two hours. It counts,” Spencer continued.