Sports, for both sporting as well as non-sporting outcomes, is gradually being leveraged more actively by organizations as a powerful programmatic tool to achieve their social welfare goals. According to a recent analysis, CSR spending in sports-specific programs has increased to ₹ 526 Crore in FY 2023 compared to ₹ 292 Crore in FY 2022. Sports education as well as sports development initiatives, both have shown profound impact in nurturing children and youth, especially when it comes to underserved sections of society.

Sportz Village Foundation’s flagship program #SportForChange leverages its in-school structured P.E. program aimed at accelerating several developmental outcomes in children. The sports education program has been instrumental in driving change in schools, by enhancing health, education, and social-emotional skills for children. Since its inception, the program has positively impacted over 3,00,000 children across 1200+ public and govt. schools in India.

In this newsletter, we share inspiring stories of transformation through sport and the strides we made in creating a better world by getting more children to play.

From CSR to community-driven change: A model for sustainable #SportForChange in Karol Village, Maharashtra

This is a bright case of how a well-conceived and well-implemented CSR program continues to deliver impact through the community. In Karol, Maharashtra, Sportz Village Foundation and ASK Foundation came together to drive the #SportForChange program aimed at fostering social progress and self-reliance. A structured sports curriculum focusing on health, emotional well-being, and a vibrant sports ecosystem was implemented in beneficiary schools over the course of two years. The program strategy involved selecting and training local youth to eventually lead the change, ensuring the program’s sustainability. Currently, with the local talent serving as the sports instructor, the community-driven program continues to thrive, and the impact has been tremendous. Despite limited resources, the program has fostered a strong sense of pride and ownership among Karol’s residents.

Casio India unites with Sportz Village Foundation to empower 4000 children in Delhi NCR through ‘Sports for Change’ initiative

Casio India launches ‘Sports For Change’ with Sportz Village Foundation to empower children from 20 public schools in Delhi-NCR region. The program nurtures physical wellbeing, develops sports infrastructure, and fosters talent for brighter futures. The comprehensive structure ensures that all children benefit from the baseline assessment program, while those with promising talent are given the resources and pathway to compete at larger platforms.

Arjuna Awardee & Olympian Rahul Banerjee visits Sportz Village Foundation's Sports Development Centres

The world champion's visit powered by Vedanta Group was an incredible experience for our student-athletes. Rahul spent four days conducting in-depth athlete assessments and providing valuable coach training, equipping them with advanced techniques and strategies. His evaluation of the Sportz Village Foundation academy's structure was vital in setting the organization on a path to greater success. Rahul also took the time to interact with and motivate the dedicated student-athletes, offering personalized advice to help each one reach their full potential.

Kicking up a storm with Chennai Kaalpandhu League (CKL) 2024

Conceived as a pathway for grassroots football talent from public schools in the region by Sportz Village Foundation’s esteemed partner LatentView Analytics, CKL has truly become a football property in its own right, exemplifying its tagline “Kicking Where It Counts.” In its fourth season, the league continues to be a launchpad where over 400 young student-athletes from over 50 govt. schools honed their skills and experienced the excitement of competitive football.

The league is an example of how a well-supported grassroot sports program has the potential to deliver ongoing, meaningful impact year-on-year. Investing in grassroots talent ensures that the benefits sustainably extend beyond the grounds, fostering long-term growth and opportunities for young student-athletes, thus creating champions in life, on and off the field.

Ferrero Group brings joy to over 19000 children across India with its Kinder Joy Of Moving program

To launch and gradually expand its global social responsibility program-Kinder Joy Of Moving in India, Ferrero partnered with Sportz Village. Banking upon Sportz Village's highly awarded, structured physical education program (EduSports), Ferrero sought to improve the developmental outcomes of school children across India. Since its inception, KJOM has spread the joy of moving in more than 19000 children across 19 schools in India, with 82% of children loving the program and awarding it a 5-star rating.

Thomson Reuters India spreads joy and fosters teamwork with Yogdaan employee volunteering

Thomson Reuters India has joined forces with Sportz Village Foundation to bring about a positive impact in its beneficiary schools through Yogdaan program. With #SportForChange at its core, over 30 employees actively participated in this CSR initiative, engaging with children through interactive games and embodying the transformative power of sports.

Celebrating National Sports Day with children across our partner schools

Students and teachers from multiple partner schools across India celebrated National Sports Day- A day to celebrate the spirit of sports and the profound impact it has on the lives of children. From fun games to active learning, children embraced the joy of movement and teamwork, thus acknowledging the power of sports to unite, inspire, and empower.

Sportz Village launches 'Creating Champions in Life' film on its 21st anniversary

The film celebrates the organization's dedication to getting children to play and become champions in life, stressing on the importance of sports in school curriculum alongside academics. The film underscored that the journey to becoming a champion is demanding, where each new day serves as an exam, every setback as a lesson, and every challenge as a new opportunity. Sportz Village programs have positively impacted the lives of over 60L+ children & youth in 18K+ private & public schools across 22 states in India in the last 21 years.

Sportz Village Foundation making waves at the Social Impact Conference & Awards (SICA)

Parminder Gill, Co-Founder & Head, Sportz Village Foundation, attended the Social Impact Conference & Awards (SICA) 2024 organized by TheCSRUniverse. As a prominent figure in advocating for social impact through sports, Parminder joined a distinguished panel of #S4D changemakers. During the event, he shared valuable insights on the powerful role of sport in attaining non-sporting outcomes related to health, education, gender equality, and livelihood, apart from direct outcomes in grassroot sports development.

Get Kids To Play Summit, Pune Edition: An enormous success

The Get Kids To Play Summit concluded its first leg in Pune on August 31st, 2024, with over 200 passionate attendees coming together to address the pressing issue: How can we get our kids to play more? The atmosphere was electric as parents, P.E. trainers, industry leaders, brands, philanthropists, and policymakers joined forces to tackle this challenge. Corporates and brands have a significant opportunity to make a real impact was one of several key takeaways of the summit. Through investing in sports via CSR they can drive social transformation and create multiple positive effects.