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In response to the increased proliferation of internet gaming websites and heightened susceptibility to gambling addiction among young adults, three of Córdoba’s top sports clubs—Instituto, Belgrano, and Talleres—have taken a step forward to educate and protect their youth players. With preventive measures and education workshops, these clubs are instilling awareness, resistance, and mental clarity among young people against future digital challenges.
Prevention in the Youth Development Process
Instituto has fully incorporated awareness initiatives into the fabric of its youth development program. With Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and Municipality of Córdoba, the club has formal training sessions, workshops, and seminars for youth players and staff members.
The focus is most acute among older young categories, whose social exposure to risk and gambling is measurably higher. Damián Bizzi, a club executive, prioritized dealing with more universal issues of life with young players. “We talk to them about living with the possibility that they won’t become professional“, he said. “But we also address issues brought up by coaches and administrators, like online gaming and gambling. We want prevention up front“.
Bizzi emphasized the players’ interest and engagement: “They’re very interested. They accept the activities, especially when they’re both learning and entertaining themselves“.
Mental Health and Critical Pedagogy
Karina Martín, a physician from the Municipality of Córdoba’s Subsecretariat of Mental Health and Addictions, was an active participant in these educational projects. She described how the programs address broader issues under the umbrella of problematic digital consumption.
“Once we enter online gambling, the children respond well. They participate, give their experiences, and understand risks“, Martín explained. Pedagogy of the Subsecretariat is founded on critical pedagogy in which the students are encouraged to co-construct knowledge through debating and reflecting. “We don’t educate in class; we interact“, she added.
Belgrano’s Integrated Commitment
Club Atlético Belgrano formalized it via partnership with the Secretariat for Prevention and Assistance Against Addiction to the Government of Córdoba. With the “Rol Sano” program, the club promotes healthy lifestyle habits and responsible digital conduct among not only its sportsmen and women but also among coaches, workers, and administrative personnel.
Sofía Rousselot, from Belgrano’s institutional and social affairs department, explained the club’s upcoming plans: “We’ve scheduled a workshop for coaching staff and employees in July focusing on gambling addiction. For players, we’ll organize recreational and educational sessions centered on prevention”.
Rousselot stressed the importance of a holistic approach: “This is a cross-cutting strategy. We’ve already started working with the Ministry of Education, which has a dedicated addiction prevention unit. The program is designed for people of all ages—adults, youth, and children. Adults participate in training workshops, while younger participants engage through shorter, game-based learning activities”.
A Model for Other Regions
The collective action of these Córdoba clubs is a national example of the part that sports institutions should play in safeguarding young people and educating toward digital literacy. While Internet gaming sites broaden exposure and accessibility, this work is a formidable counterforce, offering education, guidance, and open discussion space for the topic.
With official alliances, citizen engagement, and a sustainable reform focus, Córdoba’s football clubs are proving that sport’s values extend beyond the playing field—and into the heart of public health.
Source: YogoNet
