Aatashala Pan-India Sports for Development Conference: Unlocking potential through sport and play

Sport and play have emerged as powerful tools globally, unlocking the potential of young individuals. Recognising their transformative power, the United Nations (UN) has been advocating for using sport and play as innovative tools to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), transcending barriers of gender, age, or socio-economic status, while promoting education, equality, and community development.

In India, where sport and play have a vital role to play in nation-building, numerous governmental departments and ministries, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and private organisations have come to the forefront to implement various initiatives. Working across various contexts across the country, these organisations face multifaceted challenges and hurdles in accessing resources, promoting inclusivity, and funding.

Acknowledging the need for a platform to bring together the various sports and development organisations, Anantapur Sports Academy (ASA) has taken the leadership in organising the ‘Aatashala’ conference to share best practices, address challenges, and identify opportunities for leveraging sport to create meaningful change in diverse contexts across India.

‘Aatashala’ conference hosted by the Rural Development Trust (RDT) - Anantapur Sports Academy (ASA) in collaboration with Generalitat Valenciana, took place on 10th -11th January 2025 at Anantapur Sports Village (ASV) in Andhra Pradesh. Bringing together over 25 organisations, the event saw the active participation of sports and development practitioners, educators, and professionals from across the country.

‘Aatashala’ emerged as a beacon of thought-provoking discussion and interactive sessions, creating learning spaces on the transformative power of sport and play. The two-day conference delved further into how sport and play can equip children and young people with essential life skills, values, and resilience, in different contexts across India.

‘Life Skills & Values Education through Sports’, ‘Empowering Women & Girls through Participation in Sports’, and ‘Practical Ways of Working Collaboratively’ were the key themes of the conference.

Divided into two days, the ‘Aatashala’ focused on an engaging workshop on day one and interactive panel discussions on day two of the conference. Through a series of engaging workshops, panel discussions, and collaborative dialogues, the participants speakers, panellists and moderators addressed the multifaceted challenges that hinder access to the opportunities, including socio-economic barriers, infrastructure gaps, and limited awareness of sport and play.

The conference commenced with an impactful keynote address by Hakimuddin Habibulla, Director of Winning Matters Consulting and an Olympic Swimmer (2000 Sydney). Setting the tone for the day, he laid the foundation for the discussions ahead. Drawing from his life journey, Hakim emphasised grassroots initiatives and the role of individuals as catalysts for transformation, highlighting a path forward where partnerships, learning, and community-driven efforts converge to shape India's sporting future. “Engaging teachers, professionals, and communities, along with the willingness to learn and embrace failure, is what drives true change," shares Hakimuddin while delivering the keynote address.

Another highlight of the conference was the fireside chat featuring Nagapuri Ramesh, Athletic Coach at Pullela Gopichand Foundation & Dronacharya Awardee and Deepthi Jeevanji, 2024 Paralympic Medalist. The discussions emphasised the need for stronger grassroots programs to identify and nurture young talent. By sharing Deepthi’s inspiring journey to becoming a Paralympic champion, the session shed light on the pivotal role of coaches in shaping an athlete's success. It also highlights the importance of tailored approaches, focusing on understanding each athlete’s unique psychology, building their confidence, and crafting strategies that meet their individual needs.

“ASA has provided a fantastic platform for us to exchange ideas, discuss critical aspects of our ecosystem, and chart a meaningful way forward. It’s been a pleasure to have these conversations with all the stakeholders present, ensuring that the outcomes benefit everyone involved. A big thanks to ASA for bringing us together through ‘Aatashala’,” shares Mridul Kataria, Chief of Staff at Sports and Society Accelerator, talking about his experience at ‘Aatashala’.

 ‘Aatashala’ not only served as a platform to discuss the transformative role of sport and play but also fostered collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and empowered environment for children and young people in India.