Episode 17 - A chat with Raj Chopra

Published: Oct. 24, 2020, 5 p.m.

In founding an intercultural sports league, Raj Chopra has brought people from different backgrounds together to foster a strong Tasmanian community. Arriving in Tasmania from India with his wife and their two-year-old son, Raj Chopra is all-too-familiar with the overwhelming feeling that comes with starting a new life in an unfamiliar country. Today, he is Founder and President of the Intercultural Sports League (ICSL). Its sole purpose is to bring communities together and draw people out of isolation through participation in social sport. The league has now more than 600 members. There are teams from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Lebanon and Syria, and local Australian teams as well. It’s the first Nepalese team in Tasmania’s history! These participants have now created their own networks.” Raj has witnessed friendships develop and confidence flourish. People from non-English speaking backgrounds have the opportunity to practice their English out on the field and cultural harmony is felt in the handshakes after hard-fought games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.