Roots Foundation

Top Sports Programs for Youth Development in Rural Communities

In India's rural areas, which account for 65.53% of the country's population, young talent remains largely untapped due to a lack of access to quality sports infrastructure.

In India’s rural areas, which account for 65.53% of the country’s population, young talent remains largely untapped due to a lack of access to quality sports infrastructure.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports reports that, despite programs like Khelo India, rural communities continue to face significant challenges, with only 360 of the 1,000 targeted Khelo India Centres having been established as of 2021. Such a scarcity of infrastructure, combined with socio-economic barriers and limited coaching, leaves rural youth without adequate opportunities to develop their skills and realize their potential.

The problem is that while sports have the power to instill critical life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and leadership, rural children in India lack the resources, coaching, and community support needed to succeed.

Initiatives like Sports Lab have shown how targeted sports programs can provide underprivileged youth with the platform to break these barriers and pursue higher aspirations. However, with limited access to proper infrastructure and trained coaches, these programs remain insufficient to meet the widespread demand.

Why Sports Matter for Youth Development in Rural Communities

Firstly, sports are about much more than physical activity. They teach critical life skills that go beyond the field, discipline, resilience, teamwork, and leadership. These are qualities that young people can carry into every aspect of their lives.

One of the most powerful impacts of sports is its ability to bring people together and break down social barriers. In many villages, traditional norms can restrict what young people, especially girls, can aspire to. But when a young girl from a conservative background step onto a football field or a wrestling mat and holds her own, it sends a powerful message.

Athletes like the Phogat sisters and Sakshi Malik from rural backgrounds have inspired countless young girls to challenge gender stereotypes and pursue sports as a viable career option.

Government initiatives like the Khelo India have been critical in this context. These programs identify and nurture talent from rural areas, providing the necessary infrastructure, training, and exposure that are often lacking.

Many rural areas still lack basic sports infrastructure, and where facilities do exist, they are often poorly maintained. There is also a shortage of trained coaches who can provide proper guidance and mentorship to young athletes.

Successful Sports Programs Empowering Rural Youth

At Roots Foundation, we create inclusive, accessible, and supportive environments where young people can thrive. We have contributed to this cause through the following programs and initiatives:

1. Project Sports Lab

Our Project Sports Lab was one such flagship initiative where we touched upon the root cause of limited access to basic sports facilities and resources in underserved communities, building bridges of opportunities for them to flourish.

We partnered with 60+ government schools; our flagship initiative is active across the districts of Forezepur, Bhatinda, and Mansa in Punjab and Hisar, Fatehabad, and Jind in Haryana, helping 7,500+ students unlock their potential by indulging them in healthy sports.

We have national and state-level athletes serving as coaches and a team of certified physiotherapists bringing their unique expertise to the program, making it an initiative that extends beyond basic sports training, emphasizing comprehensive athletic development.

Project Sports Lab is Roots Foundation’s flagship program, successfully transforming countless lives. This program has touched the lives of several young athletes at the grassroots level, giving them another chance in life to make it big.

One such success story is about Renu, who emerged as a role model for all students enrolled in the Roots Foundation’s Sports Lab initiative. This program played a crucial role in her journey, helping her and many other young athletes from Haryana and Punjab to reach new heights.

Over the past year, she has trained during evening sessions, guided by the dedicated coach Narendra Kumar, who had mentored her for the last six years.

From winning a silver medal at the Junior Nationals Championship in 2016 and 2018, securing second place at the Senior National Women’s Championship, to earning a bronze at the South Asian Games and a silver at the Asian Games, Renu’s achievements speak volumes of her hard work and determination.

She attributed her success to the consistent guidance from her coach and the state-of-the-art infrastructure provided by the Sports lab program.

We want to empower more children like Renu and to fuel this, we’ve partnered with up to 60+ local government schools and communities to promote physical fitness. We promote sports like Karate, Hockey, Handball, Basketball, Boxing, etc to enhance students’ athletic abilities and appear for various district-level competitions.

We also recently launched ‘Sports lab Fitness Centre’ in Hisar, Haryana under Roots Foundation and HMIF’s flagship Sports Lab project. A state-of-the-art facility, the centre reaffirms the project’s commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting excellence in sports at the grassroots level. Equipped with modern fitness equipment and staffed by certified physiotherapists, the centre is designed to cater to athletes across various sports disciplines, ensuring they have the best resources to excel.

2. Utkarsh: Centre of Excellence for Sports

In 2024, in collaboration with the District Administration of Khunti, Roots Foundation launched Utkarsh—Centre of Excellence for Sports. This unique sports initiative aims to nurture young talents and offers specialized training to students in football, athletics, and hockey. Based in Khunti, Jharkhand, a national and international hub of players representing India, we have reached rare talents.

After undergoing a regress scouting and selection process, only 2% of top talent is selected to be part of the program. The process includes selection based on physical competency and an intensive assessment of their specific sports competencies and athletic abilities.

The selected 100 students stay at a fully integrated residential facility and train at state-of-the-art facilities with the latest sports kits and equipment and receive nutritional support and professional guidance. Additionally, they have access to nearby training centers with seamless commute facilities.

We nurture and inspire other students and their families through community interactions, guiding them to embrace their children’s sports ambitions.

3. Football Initiatives

At Roots Foundation, through our football initiatives, Vision Football Academy and Hindustan Football Club, we bring the most sought-after and internationally acclaimed sport to rural and urban youth. These initiatives are significant contributors to the sports ecosystems in Nothern India and have produced more than 20 state and national-level football players.

HFC has also recently established a 150-capacity fully residential CoE in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh with the vision to help Indian footballers’ improve standards over the years, and to examine several areas of development on and off the field. The aim is to constantly ensure quality standards to help players develop holistically.

Beyond physical training, Vision Football Academy and Hindustan Football Club provides educational support, psychological counseling, and life skills training to prepare young athletes from grassroots levels to build their careers in football.

5. MMA Initiatives

We at Roots Foundation have introduced newer disciplines like MMA in the Indian eco-system. Our major milestone in line with this initiative was organizing the world’s most prestigious Jit-Jitsu championship by partnering with Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP) and Crosstrain Fight Club..

The event was marked as the first-ever APJ India tour, showcasing the country’s excellence in Jiu-Jitsu through teamwork, dedication, and fair play while highlighting the growing passion and commitment towards mixed martial arts across the nation.

Creating Holistic Programs for Sustainable Youth Development

At Roots Foundation, we dedicate our heart and soul to creating sports programs because, for us, exploring and refining untapped talent goes hand in hand with the country’s exponential success walks hand-in-hand.

Our programs and initiatives aim to recognize the disparities within the society and foster a generation of healthy, confident, capable, and compassionate individuals who will make a difference in the world.

Here are the main aspects we at Roots Foundation keep in mind:

  1. Physical Development: Our programs, like Utkarsh in Khunti and Project Sports Lab, are a testament to our dedication to helping youth improve their athletic skills, physical fitness, and overall health. We provide access to proper training facilities, equipment, coaching, sports kits, uniforms, and access to training facilities through these programs.
  2. Access to resources: At Roots Foundation, we believe that the right support is the crux of transformation. We foster an inclusive and equitable sporting environment by providing training through state-of-the-art facilities and building access to modern equipment. We have national-level coaches to help students build the right attitude towards sports and enhance their athletic abilities.
  3. Mentorship and Guidance: We believe that having positive role models and mentors can significantly improve the personal development of young people. We have coaches and older athletes who provide regular guidance, support, and inspiration to help rural youth navigate challenges on and off the field.
  4. Community Involvement: One of the key things that contribute to the success of youth sports development programs. We foster community discussions on the importance of sports for kids.

How Can You Help?

We at Roots Foundation believe supporting youth sports development in rural communities requires a collective effort. Here are a few ways you can join us:

  • Volunteering with us: We at Roots Foundation are more than happy to have you, and we’ll introduce you to various projects where you can make a direct impact through your time and skills as a coach, mentor, or just a volunteer. If you happen to run a sports program, are good at providing guidance, or just want to make activities more enjoyable for a brief period, volunteer with us.
  • Contribute to us: Your donations will help our young athletes directly by funding equipment, facilities, scholarships, and transportation. Donations can also support the training of coaches and the development of new programs.
  • Work with us: If you happen to share similar values and are seeking ways to reform lives through meaningful initiatives, you can partner with us.

FAQs

Why are sports important for youth development in rural communities?

For rural communities, where resources are often lacking, introducing sports can be a positive outlet for energy and help them build self-confidence, reduce stress, and instill a sense of purpose. It fosters essential life skills in these kids, like teamwork, discipline, communication, and resilience, which can improve their overall quality of life physically and mentally.

How do sports programs impact the lives of rural youth?

Sports leave a profound impact on the individual, promoting both their social and personal well-being. Regular exercise helps them remain fit, improves focus and discipline, and, most importantly, gives them a sense of purpose. It helps in keeping them from wandering off and getting addicted to unnecessary addictions or other interests, which most of the kids in rural communities are vulnerable to.

What is the connection between sports programs and environmental education?

At Roots Foundation, we believe that sports development programs are a powerful platform for environmental education. By combining physical activities with lessons on environmental stewardship, we can introduce the youth to connect with nature and understand the importance of sustainability.

Can you share examples of successful sports programs in rural areas?

At Roots Foundation, we realize the importance of sports for kids in rural areas. Hence, our set of initiatives and set of several successful sports programs have made a lasting impact on youth development. Here are a few examples:

  • Sports Lab & Utkarsh: These are dedicated residential facilities where we train more than 10,000 students annually. We have partnered with district schools and communities to train, educate, and set up students for world-level championships.
  • Sports Initiative programs: We provide specialized coaching in football, cricket, and athletics, and participants also receive mentoring on goal-setting, teamwork, and problem-solving.
  • Sports for Social Change: In this initiative, we use sports as a tool for addressing social issues like gender equality, inclusion, and environmental responsibility. By encouraging girls’ participation in sports, we challenge traditional gender norms and promote empowerment in rural communities.
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Sahil Sharma

 

With a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Maharishi Markandeshwar University and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Sahil is an Agriculturist committed to leveraging his skills and experience for organizational success. His passion lies in Sustainable Agriculture, and he is dedicated to driving positive change in farming practices.
Throughout his career, Sahil has excelled in promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and raising awareness about Crop Residue Management (CRM). His expertise encompasses various aspects of agriculture, including crop maintenance, agronomy, organic farming, beekeeping, and rural development.
Currently, Sahil is actively involved in implementing Agriculture strategies across four Haryana districts, namely Jind, Sonipat, Hisar, and Fatehabad, implementing innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions.

Dr. Vinod Aggarwal

Dr Vinod Aggarwal is a 1980-batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer who retired as Secretary of the Government of India. His last posting was Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Prior to joining the Indian Administrative Services, he completed his MBBS from AIIMS. He has also graduated in International Trade from Australia and recently completed a PG Diploma in Geriatric Medicine. Post-retirement, he has been associated with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as a Rapporteur, where he is evaluating various government-run programs like ICDS, MGNREGA, etc. His passion lies in designing innovative solutions that assist specially abled individuals. He is pioneering a telemedicine venture to make healthcare more accessible, especially for people living in rural areas.

Adwait Nautiyal

Adwait Nautiyal

Adwait Nautiyal is an accomplished professional with a robust background in Communication Design and Brand Marketing. With a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Communication from NIFT and an MBA in Digital Marketing from MICA, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field. Adwait has successfully designed and led digital campaigns in the beauty and fashion industries, and has developed comprehensive communication strategies for the retail sector. His passion for sustainability and circular economies drives his approach to marketing, ensuring that his strategies are not only innovative but also environmentally conscious. Adwait believes that the role of a marketeer extends beyond brand building to include a commitment to safeguarding our people and planet. His work reflects a harmonious blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep sense of responsibility.

Shekhar Anand

Shekhar Anand, with an M.Sc from the London School of Economics, UK, and a postgraduate diploma in Rural Development from India, boasts extensive experience with organizations like Oxfam, CARE, CIDA, and national governments across South and East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and ex-Soviet countries. Formerly based in the UK for over eight years as Global Advisor Resilient Livelihoods, he specializes in leading economic justice, food security, and gender value chain development programs. With a strong background in managing large-scale initiatives on sustainable economic and social development, livelihood recovery, and private sector engagement, Shekhar is also dedicated to supporting young adults with mental health conditions and advocates for Autism awareness through his son's journey.

AP Sinha

A.P. Sinha

A.P. Sinha has more than 20years of experience in the agribusiness domain in Asia, Africa, and Europe, as well as global conglomerates and start-ups. A Dairy Technologist from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) – Karnal, AP has a PG Diploma in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. In the past, AP has headed marketing and sales functions for prominent agri-input companies like Bayer, P.I. Industries, etc. He has also worked with McCormick (World’s largest spices, seasoning and flavour conglomerate), where he was instrumental in launching McCormick products in India. He has worked as a supplier to many corporates in their agri-supply chain ventures – Mahindra Shubh Labh, ITC e-Choupal, etc. AP has overseen, as CEO, the setting up of India’s largest integrated (from grass to glass) dairy project. AP is currently working on a farm-to-fork food supply venture.

Ritwik Bahuguna

Ritwik Bahuguna

Founder and General Secretary

Ritwik has 15 years of experience in the global agribusiness and sports industries. In the past decade and a half, Ritwik has collaborated closely with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, contributing to the drafting and updating of guidelines for flagship schemes like Mega Food Parks and Integrated Cold Chain, as well as participating in the formulation of the 12th Plan Document for the food processing sector's development. Furthermore, he has served as an advisor to numerous central and provincial governments across Asia and Africa, assisting in policy formulation, and consulted for the World Bank Group on agribusiness and dairy development initiatives in India and Africa.

Ritwik has played a pivotal role in establishing some of India's most successful mega food parks and large-scale food processing units while driving market expansion and business growth for leading FMCG companies. As a former national-level football player and an economist by training, Ritwik ensures that his entrepreneurial ventures prioritize business growth and social impact.

Ridhima Bahuguna

Ridhima Bahuguna

Founder and President

With over 10 years of experience in the textile and apparel sector in India and the United Kingdom, Ridhima is a seasoned textile designer currently employed at one of India's leading luxury design brands. Her expertise stems from training at renowned institutions like the London Business School (Creative Entrepreneurship) and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of Arts London (Future Textiles), following her graduation from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi in textile designing. Ridhima has held roles at prominent Indian brands such as Fab India, Satya Paul, and Taurus Exports/Address Home, where she contributed to product development, sourcing, designing, branding, and marketing. Additionally, Ridhima has been empanelled as a Designer at the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) since 2008, overseeing integrated design projects and collaborating with artisans and craftsmen nationwide. She has actively participated in MoT schemes and conducted workshops and seminars to promote the Government of India's skill development initiatives in the textile sector.

Anmol Pandey

Anmol Pandey

Head – Finance

Anmol is a Financial/Accounting professional with over 10 years of experience. He possesses multiple skills covering many financial areas, such as laws, cost control principles, ledger analysis, financial statements, budgeting, taxation and economic regulations. Superior analytical skills with expertise in transaction/workflow details in support of process and profit improvement.
Anmol obtained his undergraduate degree from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, and pursued his postgraduate studies at Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune.

Trapti Moonat

Trapti Moonat

Head – Programs & Partnerships

Trapti is a development professional with multidisciplinary work experience in banking, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and business development. She has extensively worked in the research and development of Agri-lending policies for Agri-processing and Agri-input companies under priority sector lending for India. She has over 7 years of experience working with companies such as Axis Bank, WWF – India, and Roots Foundation in significant roles.
She completed her Postgraduate Diploma from the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM, Bhopal) and a postgraduate diploma certification in Digital Marketing from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA). Trapti is passionate about driving positive change for the underprivileged sections of society, with a focus on fostering sustainable development.

Vidula Chopra

Vidula Chopra

Program Manager

Vidula is a former Gandhi fellow who has worked extensively in aspirational districts in Jharkhand in the education sector. Her areas of expertise include community engagement, education, gender, and women’s empowerment.
She holds a graduate degree in Business Economics from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from Ambedkar University, Delhi.

Bhoop Singh

Bhoop Singh

Program Manager

Bhoop possesses nearly six years of hands-on experience within the development sector across Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. His proficiency primarily revolves around executing development initiatives in agriculture, education, sports, and healthcare domains. He is equipped with an M. Tech. in Electronics and an MBA in Marketing Management, underlining his academic prowess and professional versatility.

Debolina Ghosh

Senior Program Manager

Debolina Ghosh is a development professional, with a decade of experience working in the social sector. She has collaborated across different organizations ranging from local NGOs, International NGOs, and the CSR wing of the corporate organization. She has worked with diverse stakeholders and beneficiaries on managing and leading robust and large-scale employability, skills development, and entrepreneurship programs.
Further her education in Political Theory from DU and a specialization in Women Studies from TISS, Mumbai have given her added impetus to analyze and study the development issues from a gendered lens and lay a critical framework thus challenging the existing structure towards equity and empowerment of the disadvantaged.

Prashasti Yadav

Prashasti Yadav

Assistant Manager – Communications

With 4 years of experience in the development sector, Prashastiis a branding and communication professional. She has demonstrated proficiency in formulating comprehensive 360-degree communication plans designed to enhance awareness, foster engagement, and showcase impactful outcomes.
During her tenure with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and L&T, she has gained experience in stakeholder mapping and the strategic execution of communication plans. Her journey in the sector encompasses diverse areas such as CSR, Geriatric Social Work, Correctional Social Work, and Psychiatric Social Work, enabling her to bring to light the complexities of the development sector from the margins to the mainstream.

Anamika
Anamika

Anamika focuses on creating engaging and informative agricultural content aimed at benefiting farmers. Her primary responsibilities encompass data management, analysis, research, and content creation, all geared towards assisting farmers in making informed decisions and optimizing their yields and income. 

Anamika holds a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture and a postgraduate diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management. She had been actively engaged in the agriculture sector, collaborating closely with farmers and stakeholders.

Anirudh Singare

Anirudh Singare

Program Manager

Anirudh Singare, a seasoned development professional, started his journey in the social development while pursuing Gandhi Fellowship by Piramal Foundation. During this tenure, Anirudh spearheaded two pilot projects focused on equipping senior secondary students in government schools in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, with essential life and entrepreneurship skills in alignment with the PISA framework.
Subsequently, Anirudh's expertise earned him the role of National Specialist UNV for a flagship initiative led by UNDP and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. His responsibilities as a District Youth Officer at NYKS Sarguja, Chhattisgarh, included fostering inclusive youth engagement and advocacy by establishing Sports Youth Clubs.

Vijay Singh

Vijay Singh

Vijay has over 21 years of working experience in different capacities in the voluntary, humanitarian as well as the private sector. Vijay holds a Post Graduate Diploma in CSR & Sustainability from the Swedish Institute, Stockholm. An M.A. in Public Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Human Rights Law from The Indian Academy of International Law & Diplomacy.
Vijay has worked with the voluntary sector in Canada, U.K. and India. In the CSR Domain, Vijay has worked as Lead CSR with Times Group, DLF Ltd and Sahara Group as CEO for Sahara Welfare Foundation and now with PI Industries Ltd and the likes.