Empowering young people through cricket: Reflections on the second year of PSD’s Community Cricket Program

Get an inside look at the motivations, journey, and impact of the PSD’s Community Cricket Program. Hear firsthand from participants, parents, and PSD coaches as they share their experiences and reflections on the Community Cricket Program.

Over the past year, the program has continued to engage and transform young people, equipping them with essential life skills, increasing their awareness of child rights, and encouraging them to challenge gender stereotypes. This impact is evident in both participant experiences and the program’s endline evaluation findings, detailed in the CCP Annual Impact Report (2023-24).

The 2023-24 cohort engaged 62 participants aged 12-16 years (47% girls, 53% boys) through 160 structured on-ground sessions conducted across four schools in Bhubaneswar from December 2023 to November 2024. This cycle also introduced a youth-led implementation model, where former participants and young coaches from PSD, aged 15-19 years, took on active roles in delivering sessions and mentoring participants, reinforcing leadership and peer learning within the program.

Some of the key impact areas include:

• Increased engagement in sport – Many participants, especially girls, expressed a heightened interest in cricket, actively taking part in sessions and breaking gender norms. A 12-year-old male participant shared how the program changed his perspective:
  
  "Before PSD, I only focused on my studies. But since joining CCP, I have realised that sports are just as important for moving ahead in life."
   
• Enhanced physical and mental well-being – Participants reported improvements in fitness, flexibility, and mental clarity, with greater enthusiasm for an active lifestyle
   
• Development of life skills – The program significantly contributed to leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, with many participants adopting a more proactive approach in their communities.
   
• Improved mixed-gender collaboration – Boys and girls, who initially interacted in gender-segregated spaces, now engage in more inclusive sporting activities, fostering better relationships and mutual respect. A 12-year-old female participant explained how her perception changed over the course of participating in the CCP:
  
  "I used to stay away from boys and was scared to talk to them. Now, I have started interacting with them more often and playing with them too, as I have understood that we need to play together to improve as a team in order to win."
   
• Cricket skill enhancement – Participants exhibited noticeable improvements in batting, bowling, and fielding, with many gaining the confidence to guide others in the game.
   
• Increased awareness of child rights – Sessions on child rights, gender equality, and leadership empowered participants to advocate for their own rights and educate others in their communities. A 12-year-old female participant shared how the CCP helped her understand her rights and gave her the confidence to advocate for them:
  
  "I was initially disallowed to play much because I am a girl, but then I protested that I have a right to play, and then my family eventually agreed."
   
• Exposure and learning opportunities – Eight participants from the program traveled to Delhi for an exposure visit, engaging in leadership workshops, gender discussions, and cricket training, broadening their understanding beyond their local communities. A parent, expressing joy over their child's experience:
  
  "I am very happy that my daughter went to Delhi. I never thought she would ever go there. She is also very happy that she went to Delhi, as she enjoyed it a lot and learned many new things."

As the Community Cricket Program moves forward, PSD remains committed to deepening its impact and ensuring that more young people gain access to sport and leadership opportunities.

Moreover, following the successful completion of the previous cohort, our team in Bhubaneswar has already begun the next cycle of the program, which commenced in January 2025. This year, 25 new participants from two slum-based communities in Bhubaneswar have joined the program, alongside 50 returning participants, further expanding the reach and impact of cricket in the region. 

Through structured sessions, leadership training, and gender-inclusive play, CCP continues to use sport as a tool for empowerment, inclusion, and personal growth, equipping young people with the skills and confidence to shape their futures.

To delve deeper into the program’s impact, access the full report here.