Tata Trusts supports Community Sports Program in Bhubaneswar

Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, Tata Trusts is amongst India's oldest, non-sectarian philanthropic organisations that works in several areas of community development. It has been supporting grassroots and rural interventions for marginalised and underprivileged sections of society in India in various spheres including health, education, livelihoods, water, energy and recently, sports. Starting April 2017, Tata Trusts has partnered with Pro Sport Development (PSD) to support, over the next year, the implementation of the Community Sports Program to 600 children living and studying in the various slums of Bhubaneswar, via six centres.

The support of Tata Trusts will be invaluable towards the holistic development of these children, by ensuring their regular and sustainable participation in sport for their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Other than delivering weekly sessions to these children through the six centres, the Trusts’ support will ensure that the curriculum utilised for the programme is further developed and refined, the participating children are provided sports kits, the centres are provided with sports equipment and regular sports events and competitions are organised for the children. Moreover, the playgrounds of these centres will be transformed into multi-sport arenas, with football, netball and volleyball infrastructure being installed.

As part of the Community Sports Program, the initiative will ensure greater sustainability of the programme, in particular sustained and increased participation of a greater number of children in sports and physical activity. Moreover, participation of children in sport competitions and events will provide them a platform for positive exposure and boost their self-esteem and confidence, while honing their inter-personal and communication skills.

• For more information about the Tata Trusts sports division visit the Tata Trusts website