In the drought-stricken region of Mann Taluka, Maharashtra, where daily existence is a challenge, INK Fellow Prabhat Sinha, founder of Mann Deshi Champions, has helped create an oasis of hope and opportunity – a state-of-the-art Sports Incubation and Innovation Centre. In just a short time, this center has become so much more than a sports facility – it’s a lifeline for over 50,000 children across 104 villages and the town of Mhaswad.
FACILITIES
* The center features an indoor sports stadium and incubation facilities for wrestling, track, swimming, and more, serving as a beacon of resilience and determination.
* With a dedicated gym, a hostel for 150 female athletes, and cultural venues, including a music center and an 800-seat auditorium, the center fosters not only athletic but also personal growth.
IMPACT
* 8,000 children empowered through sports
* 400+ girls enrolled in the Kick-Start Girls Programme (over 50% are girls!)
* Over 100 athletes trained from underprivileged communities
* 150+ athletes in the Elite Athletes program
* 1000+ government school teachers trained through the Travel Coach Program
* 12 athletes representing India internationally!
* Over 100 trained girls placed in government jobs such as police and railways
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STEWARDSHIP
* Prabhat’s vision transcends physical training; it’s about nurturing the spirit of these young people, empowering them to rise above divisions of gender, caste, and class through the discipline and unity of sports.
* The center also serves as a vibrant hub for community development, training local school teachers and hosting cultural events that bring the community closer together.
* Prabhat has involved villagers and children in tree plantation drives, slowly restoring the severely damaged local environment and instilling a sense of responsibility and resilience within the community.
This initiative by Mann Deshi Champions and Prabhat Sinha is a testament to the power of sports to transform lives and landscapes.
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