Laureus Sport for Good and BT, one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, have teamed up to use football as a positive force for change among some of India’s most disadvantaged youth.
The funding, from BT charitable initiative The Supporters Club which funnels money from its BT Sport customers in the UK, will be implemented within the Slum Soccer project with the help of Laureus Sport for Good over the next two years
Using an innovative football-based curriculum, Slum Soccer will work in partnership with 15 state schools in Chennai to engage 1,500 children in lessons and activities that will equip them to be leaders of their communities and role models for their peers both on and off the pitch.
The aim of Slum Soccer is to foster sustainable development within otherwise marginalised populations of India. Working in areas of homelessness and disadvantage, Slum Soccer uses football to connect individuals, teach life skills and empower youngsters to work towards improving their overall quality of life.
This is the latest sporting charitable project backed by BT in the country. BT — the global communications player which has fast-growing operations in India — has previously backed the Amos Trust (which support hundreds of children living in and around the railway station in Chennai, providing access to healthcare and education), and, the British Council which runs the “Kolkata Goalz” in partnership with the English Premier League, using football to develop a brighter future for young people.
Slum Soccer CEO Dr. Abhijeet Barse said, “The support from Laureus Sport for Good and BT will allow us to make a lasting impact in 1500 children’s lives. Their backing will enable Slum Soccer to make end-to-end investments in its Edu-Kick program aimed to educate through the medium of football. We have made improvements in infrastructure, outreach, training, and implementation with the support from our partners. With all Edu-Kick trainers being previous participants of the same program, we believe that a virtuous circle of sustainability has been set in motion.”
Since its inception, Laureus has raised over €100 million for projects which have helped to improve the lives of millions of young people. The mission of Laureus Sport for Good is to use sport as a means to tackle violence, discrimination and disadvantage experienced by young people around the world.
The first Patron of Laureus was Nelson Mandela. At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, he said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” This has become the philosophy of Laureus; the driving force behind its work.
