Kamptee, a suburb town of Nagpur, is well known as a citadel of football players who have risen from the grassroots and played at national levels. But obviously, some of the best football clubs of central India are located here. However, football activity is largely restricted to men and very few, if any girls and women purse the sport in this town. Perhaps, one of the reasons lies in the demographics of Kamptee where a large population is comprised of Muslims, a patriarchal community where girls are discouraged from pursuing rigorous sports and lead a cloistered, conservative existence.
Another reason of Kamptee girls not progressing in sports is the lack of enough safe spaces where the girls can participate in a sport of their choice and showcase their potential.
However, there is a silver lining in the bleak scenario. Headquartered not very far from Kamptee, is Slum Soccer, a FIFA-awarded Football for Development organization that uses football as a tool to educate, empower and provide opportunities to diverse and underprivileged communities throughout India. I work for them as a football coach and assist them in engaging with thousands of children and youth from undeserved communities to increase participation in sports while creating a platform to explore social issues such as gender equality, health, education, leadership, and communication. By a happy coincidence, while delivering their project called Edukick in Kamptee, Slum Soccer came upon the facts and circumstances that prevented these girls from not finding their place in the sun. Quick on the uptake, Slum Soccer approached the community elders as well as the community school and convinced them to let them participate in Slum Soccer programs. In order to encourage more participation, Slum Soccer reached out to Generation Amazing , their partner and collaborated with them and built a football pitch adjacent to the community school in a manner that addressed the safety concerns of the community and school management. After that, there was no stopping the excitement of the young girls to put their best football foot forward.
On November 29th, 2019, the ‘Generation Amazing Pitch’ built by Slum Soccer adjacent to Khatija Bai School in EsmaelPura Colony, Kamptee was inaugurated by GA’s Communications and Marketing Director Ms. Moza al-Mohannadi, in august presence of Slum Soccer’s founder Prof. Vijay Barse, and other dignitaries from NMC, Nagpur along with the local community leaders and opinion makers..
The inauguration was marked by pomp and show as school children dressed in traditional attires of various Indian States welcomed the GA team from Qatar and other guests with garlands in traditional Indian style. This was followed by a guard of honour by school prefects on beats of the school band.
Later, a grand spectacle unfolded in front of the guests with students regaling them with welcome songs, presenting creative physical drills intertwined with dance elements set to catchy tunes and other cultural performances which were a visual treat for the guests and spectators.
Ms. Moza al-mohannadi 
Hala Khalaf
Speaking on the occasion, the guest of honour Ms. Moza Al Mohannadi said, “We are proud that this pitch is a real tangible legacy of Qatar 2022. We are sure that this new sports facility at Kamptee will play a vital role in the growth and development of youngsters of Kamptee as leaders and game-changers for your community”.
Ms. Al-Mohannadi had a special word of praise for Slum Soccer’s efforts in improving the lives of the underprivileged using football as a development tool. She mentioned that the inauguration of the 2nd GA Pitch at Kamptee in partnership with Slum Soccer was a testimony to the strong bonds of co-operation and sharing of common vision between the two organizations.
For me, it was a big opportunity to speak few words on the occasion in presence of the and Generation Amazing team, other dignitaries and spectators. While thanking the Generation Amazing organisation as well as the Kamptee community and school in helping and collaborating with Slum Soccer to ready the pitch, I assured them on behalf of Slum Soccer that the pitch would be maintained by us. Slum Soccer would by conducting various programs and session there throughout the year to engage with children and youth, especially girls, and work towards empowering them for a better future.
Seeing hundred of smiles of students, school management and community members, each dreaming of the myriad ways in which they would utilize and benefit from the newly developed pitch made my day very special and memorable!
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