BC Lions

Bobby Singh knows first-hand the devastating effects that gang violence can have on a family and is looking forward to speaking to local youth as part of the Lions Pride initiative

Courtesy of The Province

For BC Lion Bobby Singh, the human cost of gang violence is personal.

Singh, who appeared with a dozen teammates Monday in Surrey at an anti-gang announcement, lost a brother to gang violence.

"It happened 10 years ago, but it feels like yesterday," said Singh, recounting how police came to the door to tell his mother the news. "Young people see gangsters with their bling and their promises, but they're liars.

"Life is easy-come, easy-go -- and it's your life that goes," said Singh.

The football team kicked off a new program -- Lions Pride: Inspiring Youth to be Active, Make Positive Choices and Excel -- which will see Singh and other Lions visit schools in Prince George, Kamloops, Abbotsford, Surrey, Richmond and Vancouver .

"This has a special meaning for me," said Singh. "I've certainly been there.

"I can get the kids' attention if I say, 'I lost my brother to gang violence.' "

Solicitor-General Kash Heed was on hand to announce $162,000 in funding for the six communities, saying a special focus will be middle-school and high-school students from the Indo-Canadian and First Nations communities.

"Elite players have lessons for all of us," said Heed. "Role models youth respect can play a pivotal role in helping young people resist gang influences."

Jamie Taras, a former BC Lion who's now the club's director of community relations, said the unorthodox venue -- the team's locker room -- was a fitting place to start a new program.

"This is where we learn together and grow," said Taras, announcing that the BC Lions will contribute "over $300,000 in kind to promote Lions Pride."

"We've had players whose lives were changed by gang activity.

Supt. Dan Malo of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit -- Gang Task Force said the sad truth is the average age of dead gang members is just 27.

Among the activities announced:

- A youth flag football league to give at-risk youth a constructive pastime, with coaches from football and police ranks, culminating in a tournament this spring.

- Tickets to BC Lions home games for flag-football players and parents or guardians

- Anti-gang messages at BC Lions games, including advertising, banners and audio and video messages to "help youth resist gang influences."