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At Tiempo de Juego, Colombian Youth

Turn from Violence to Football

Posted onNovember 12, 2014

Synthetic turf donation to non-profit youth group provides at-risk children

a safe, high quality playing surface to keep them off the streets and on the

field. The artificial turf field was provided by Act Global, partner Psport

Systems and additional suppliers.

Children enjoying the new synthetic turf field at the Foundation Tiempo de Juego in

Colombia.

Austin, TexasIn the particularly marginalized and violent area of Cazuca, Colombia, young

people for years have turned to gangs, drugs and outlaw groups to fill their free time.

Now, thanks to non-profit Tiempo de Juego and their new synthetic turf pitch, children are

finding inclusion on the football field instead of the streets.

Synthetic turf manufacturerAct Globaland installation partnerPSport Systems,along with

several other suppliers, helped Tiempo de Juego achieve their dream project by donating the

new artificial turf playing surface. The field was officially opened for use October 19.

It is a constant satisfaction to make a social impact; this makes us fall in love with our

business more and more every time,said Pedro Sarmiento, PSport Systems.This time we

have formed a team of fantastic people and companies with the same feel ing and vision to

develop a project in a place where it is trul y neededto benefit a young group of kids that

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have what we call el sueo del Pibe, the dream to become a football player and help their

families.

Tiempo de Juego was established in 2006 following a three-year study of Cazuca youth,

conducted by the Universidad de la Sabana. Researchers found that lack of education and

excess free time, along with a 70 percent displaced population, were the main drivers towardsdrugs, violence and early pregnancies among youth. Tiempo de Juego seeks to provide

children positive social alternatives to foster a better quality of life.

Using football as a tool for physical activity and value formation, combined with cultural and

educational programs, Tiempo de Juego has begun to change lives. Through the game of

football, the non-profit teaches principles of team work, fair play, tolerance, gender equity,

and respect, while giving them a safe and positive place to play.

Further, older participants assume the role of peer-coaches to lead younger players in the

football programs. Thus, children further develop leadership skills through coaching peers

and leading by example.

It has been an honor to be a part of this project to support Tiempo de Juego, as well as thechildren and families of Colombia,said John Baize, managing director of Act Global.We

hope weve helped create a safe and inviting space for these chi ldren to play, learn,

socialize, and ultimately, to just enjoy being kids.

ABOUT ACT GLOBAL

Act Global is a world leader in synthetic turf and artificial grass manufacturing. The

companys artificial Xtreme Turf and Xtreme Lawn products replicate natural grass for use in

international stadiums, indoor sport centers, synthetic lawns and other synthetic grass uses.

Its LiteEarth and AvTurf affiliations add capabilities for landfills and airport applications.

Act Global has four manufacturing locations in USA, Europe and Asia and installations in

over 70 countries. Act Global is notable for currently being the first company in the world

that is a FIFA Preferred Producer for Football Turf, Synthetic Turf Council Certified

Manufacturer, IRB Preferred Producer, and holds an ISO 9001 certification. Its products have

undergone hundreds of independent laboratory tests for quality, durability and performance.