MUMBAI and MOSCOW, June 11, 2018 : A six-member youth delegation from OSCAR Foundation will represent India at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia from 26th June- 3rd July, 2018. The team will participate in FIFA Foundation’s ‘Football For Hope’ festival – FIFA’s global initiative for youth and community development.
OSCAR Foundation is the only non-profit organisation from India to be invited by FIFA Foundation for the ‘Football For Hope’ festival. The festival is all about how the youth from underserved communities can bring about a real and lasting change.
In India, OSCAR Foundation uses Football as a tool for engagement and supports youth and children from low-income communities to complete their education. OSCAR’s six-member delegation comprises of role models from low-income communities in Mumbai and Jharkhand.
OSCAR Young Leader Sony Kumari, who comes from Jharkhand’s Chari Hujir district, says, “In my village trafficking of girls is very common. Also, girls are married off when they become 15 years old. But I am breaking those barriers. I feel girls should receive equal opportunities and this is what I want to support.” 18-year-old Sony is a strong supporter of gender equality and part of OSCAR’s Football Programme.
The six-member youth delegation will join their peers from non-profit organisations from over 48 countries. The youth delegations will discuss ways to break down barriers to social development, education, health awareness, and share their experiences. They will also get an opportunity to watch the coveted semi-final match in St. Petersburg Stadium in Russia.
Ashok Rathod, Founder, OSCAR Foundation, who will be joining the youth delegation, says, “We are thrilled to participate in 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. I use football to motivate children to complete their studies, and I believe that football has an amazing potential to influence the lives of children and youth from low-income communities. Football is catching up in India and many international players and clubs are now starting to visit us. Exceptional performances by the Indian Football team and growing popularity of star performer of the Indian Football Team Sunil Chhetri is also giving us a lot of hope. Continued support from cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and Virat Kohli is also helping in popularising the sport. I believe that in the next ten years, the Indian Football team will make it to the FIFA World Cup.”
About OSCAR Foundation : OSCAR (Organisation for Social Change, Awareness and Responsibility) Foundation is an award-winning Mumbai-based non-profit that not only teaches football to children and youth but also helps them to understand the value of education. OSCAR Foundation encourages children from low-income backgrounds to take responsibility for their community’s development and supports them in achieving their maximum potential. Since 2006, OSCAR Foundation has reached out to over 3,000 children and youth in Mumbai, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Delhi. Visit http://www.oscar-foundation.org to know more about OSCAR’s Programmes in India.
