Roots Foundation

Health and Wellness Through Sports: Initiatives by Roots Foundation

Access to sports is critical for youth development, promoting physical health, mental well-being, and social skills.

Access to sports is critical for youth development, promoting physical health, mental well-being, and social skills. However, underprivileged communities in India, particularly rural areas, face significant barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and societal biases especially toward female athletes.

Roots Foundation is working to address these challenges, using sports to integrate health and well-being into the daily lives of disadvantaged youth. However, limited resources, gender biases, and a lack of community support make this mission challenging.

This leads us to the key problem, which is how can we effectively overcome barriers like infrastructure, financial limitations, and societal biases to promote equitable access to sports, especially for female athletes and rural youth?

Core Programs and Initiatives

For us, sports is not just a physical activity. It’s a way of life, and it’s a way to build your character and discipline. We believe that sports and play should be important aspects of everyone’s life, and everyone must have the resources to pursue sports, irrespective of where they come from or their socio-economic background.

To remain true to our pledge, we contribute through our core programs and initiatives to make this happen.

1. Project Sports Lab

Project Sports Lab is a flagship initiative by the Roots Foundation aimed at nurturing young sports talent across India, with a particular focus on rural areas.

The program provides professional coaching, infrastructure, and essential resources to students in government schools. The lab supports athletes by enhancing their physical abilities, tactical understanding, and overall sports performance.

The collaboration between Hyundai Motor India and Roots Foundation has significantly expanded the reach of this initiative.

One success story is Neha, a national-level football player from Haryana, whose journey began at the Project Sports Lab. Neha’s achievements in various national and international tournaments have been instrumental in showcasing the transformative power of grassroots sports initiatives.

In its first phase, the Project Sports Lab covered 20 schools in Punjab and Haryana, impacting over 6,500 children. Of these, 147 young athletes were identified as exceptional talents and have gone on to represent their districts, states, and even the nation in competitive sports​. The project continues to receive strong community support, with local Panchayats and District Education Officers contributing playgrounds and infrastructure.

2. Utkarsh: Centre of Excellence for Sports

Located in Khunti, Jharkhand, the Utkarsh Centre of Excellence for Sports is another dedicated program designed to support local talent in football and hockey. Through partnerships with district administrators, the program provides residential facilities, professional coaching, and nutritional support to students, fostering holistic athlete development​.

In its short period of operation, Utkarsh has already scouted 100 students through extensive district-wide trials, offering them personalized coaching and access to training facilities​. A key feature of the program is the emphasis on nutrition and regular health check-ups, helping athletes maintain peak physical condition.

Community involvement plays a central role at Utkarsh, where local leaders and families are educated about sports career opportunities for their children.

The success of the project is evident through achievements like the football team’s victory at the Block and District-Level Subroto Cup, which highlights the program’s effectiveness in nurturing sports talent​.

3. Vision Football Academy (VFA)

The Vision Football Academy (VFA) aims to cultivate youth football talent at the grassroots level in the Delhi NCR and North India regions. VFA provides professional coaching alongside educational support and life skills training, ensuring that the development of these young athletes is holistic and geared toward long-term success both on and off the field.

Over the years, the academy has contributed significantly to the sports ecosystem in the region by producing state and national level players​.

In addition to its sports training, the academy places a strong emphasis on psychological counseling and life skills, recognizing the importance of mental health in athletic performance. These components contribute to the athletes’ overall well-being, ensuring that they are equipped to handle both the physical and mental challenges of competitive sports.

4. Hindustan Football Club (HFC)

Hindustan Football Club (HFC), located in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the oldest football clubs in North India and is AIFF and DSA-certified. This club provides young footballers with the opportunity to train in a professional environment, with a fully integrated residential setup that includes accommodation, dining, and study areas. HFC has produced many players who have gone on to play in national leagues and represent India internationally​.

By offering these athletes a dedicated space to practice and develop their skills, the club fosters the growth of professional football talent in the region. The club’s influence extends beyond sports, as it also contributes to the athletes’ education and health, further solidifying the Foundation’s commitment to holistic development​.

5. Gamesforest

Gamesforest is a state-of-the-art multi-sport facility located in Gurugram. Spanning 11 acres, the facility offers training in various sports disciplines such as cricket, football, and table tennis, making it one of the largest such centers in the region. The facility also includes physiotherapy centers, enabling athletes to receive specialized care and recovery​.

Gamesforest has played a key role in producing professional athletes and fostering community engagement in physical fitness. With more than 500 children and professional athletes training at the facility, it is a hub for sports development in North India​.

6. Arandkhera Khel Maidan

Located in the Kota region, Arandkhera Khel Maidan serves as a recreational hub for local communities. It offers fields and courts for various sports, enabling children and adults from over 10 villages to engage in regular physical activity.

The facility also plays host to local tournaments and provides dedicated coaching, making it a significant contributor to community well-being. The integration of recreational areas encourages broader participation, promoting both fitness and social cohesion within the community​.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our programs accommodate children from every background, age, race, and gender. As we pledge that everyone can and must have access to sports, we have reinforced special community programs to support female athletes.

We aim to bring out the best and combat stereotypes, especially for females who are often under-represented in sports. 

Impact and Achievements

Since its inception, the Roots Foundation has impacted over 7,500 young athletes, providing them with opportunities to pursue their passion for sports, regardless of their socio-economic background. The Foundation’s efforts were nationally recognized in 2023 when it was awarded the Best Non-Profit in Grassroots Sports Development at the Indian CSR Awards​.

Additionally, the Foundation’s programs have led to significant successes at the national and international levels, with athletes like Neha and Manjil bringing pride to their communities. Neha, who won gold at the South Asian Championship Games, and Manjil, who represented India at the FISU World University Handball Championship, are prime examples of how the Foundation’s initiatives are producing real results​.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite our successes, we face challenges such as limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and societal biases, particularly towards female athletes. We are actively working to overcome these hurdles by expanding our programs, increasing community engagement, and advocating for better support and policies for sports development.

To address these challenges, we are focusing on:

  • Expanding its reach to rural regions where access to sports facilities is even more limited.
  • Increasing community engagement to foster broader participation and raise awareness about the importance of sports.
  • Advocating for better sports policies and forming partnerships with both governmental and non-governmental organizations to enhance support for grassroots sports initiatives​.

Conclusion

Roots Foundation’s sports initiatives promote young athletes’ health, well-being, and personal growth by providing critical resources and support. Our assistance extend beyond athletic training to education and life skills.

As Roots Foundation, we emphasize scaling these programs and reaching out to more communities by expanding infrastructure, leveraging sports science, and forming strategic partnerships.

The goal is not limited to producing successful athletes but also to fostering a broader societal impact by promoting physical fitness, mental health, and social cohesion. With a clear vision and a commitment to inclusivity, Roots Foundation is well-positioned to contribute to India’s sports landscape and beyond.

Scroll to Top

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Associate 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 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.