Background

Football is undeniably a beloved and fast-growing sport in the country, a sport of the masses. Still, this expansion is scarcely reflected in opportunity: a significant lack of adequate infrastructure, essential equipment, and quality training continues to exclude and underserve aspiring athletes and young people from underserved communities. As such, the world of sports in India is far from a level playing field. 

According to a 2023 report by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, nearly 65% of students from low-income, urban backgrounds lack access to even the most basic sporting facilities and training programs. This is heartbreaking because of how foundational sports are to a healthy childhood. Sporting should not be a luxury or recreational excess; they are a vital developmental tool for young people worldwide. They foster teamwork, self-esteem, discipline, and resilience, qualities that extend well beyond the field.

If, for many, these doors remain firmly and unfairly bolted, then we shoulder a collective responsibility to work towards change. We must address the socio-economic and systemic inequities that prevent a vast section of India’s youth from participating in and being empowered through sport.

Football For All Foundation is a response to this challenge: a social initiative that seeks to build and strengthen bridges across gaps in training, infrastructure, and sustained support for young people from marginalized communities in Mumbai.