(VOL - 10) July- September 2024 |
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This quarter, Simply Sport Foundation has made remarkable strides in fostering a sustainable and competitive sports ecosystem. From launching Sports Science Modules to providing tournament and equipment support, we have empowered partner academies and athletes to achieve significant success. Our initiatives, such as the Badminton Excellence Program, the Female Athlete Leadership Program, and the Girls Education Scholarship Program, continue to nurture talent and promote holistic development, with notable achievements in national and state tournaments. In addition, our Simply Periods initiative has expanded its reach with new partnerships, workshops, and research impacting over 1,200 athletes and coaches across India. Mental health awareness also took centre stage through Simply Smiles, with workshops and collaborations addressing well-being in the sports industry. These efforts, alongside key events like National Sports Day and new partnerships, highlight our continued commitment to elevating athletes on and off the field. |
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Simply Roots has made remarkable strides this quarter, driving impactful achievements across its partner academies and athletes. Through the launch of Sports Science Modules covering Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, and Sports Psychology, we’ve integrated critical knowledge into athletes' training routines. Additionally, we’ve provided comprehensive support, including financial, logistical, and equipment assistance, to various academies such as Future Star Sports Academy, Anantapur Sports Academy, Y-Ultimate, and more, empowering athletes with the resources and opportunities to excel in competitive sports. |
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Sports Science Modules We launched our Sports Science Modules, covering essential topics like Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, and Sports Psychology. These modules are now an integral part of athletes' regular training sessions, providing them with the knowledge they need to optimize their performance and recovery.
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Comprehensive Support to Partners Tournament Support: We provided financial and logistical support to Future Star Sports Academy, Anantapur Sports Academy, Y-Ultimate, and Life Sports Academy, giving their athletes the opportunity to gain valuable competition experience. Equipment Support: To help athletes reach their full potential, we extended equipment assistance to Sanskriti Samvardhan Mandal, Anantapur Sports Academy, Republican Sports Club, Khelo Rugby, and Life Sports Academy. |
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Partner Quarterly Highlights Our partner academies shone brightly in various tournaments, demonstrating the impact of our support on their growth and success: |
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Y-Ultimate Y-Ultimate had an incredible performance at the Chilly-O Tournament organized by Project Khel in August. They secured 3rd place in the Spirit rankings and finished 7th overall, showcasing their teamwork and sportsmanship. Special shoutout to GK Crazy for their spirited play and Karm Marg (The Fearless) for finishing 2nd in their division. This tournament marked a significant milestone for both teams, and their dedication and hard work truly paid off!
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Anantapur Sports Academy Anantapur Sports Academy’s Girls’ Hockey Team achieved an impressive 3rd place finish at the 2nd Hockey India Sub-Junior Women’s Academy Championship 2024. In addition to this remarkable performance, 8 athletes from the team have been selected to attend the central-level national camp in Jharkhand, a testament to their skill and dedication. Congratulations to the entire team and coaches for this outstanding success and a bright future ahead! |
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Mrida Education & Welfare Society Mrida Dominated the National Sub-Junior Girls Football Tournament, winning the championship. 13 athletes were selected for the AIFF Junior Girls National Championship, while two boys represented the academy in the Junior Boys National Championship. |
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Life Sports Academy Life Sports Academy had a stellar performance at the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Trophy Games 2024. The girls' football team secured a thrilling victory in the final, defeating Thoraipakkam School in a penalty shootout, with Saradha scoring the decisive goal, assisted by Sadhana. The cricket team also performed admirably, finishing as runners-up. Additionally, athlete P. Subasri was selected to represent Tamil Nadu in the Sub-Junior National Championship, marking another proud achievement for the academy! |
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Khelo Rugby by Future Hope Khelo Rugby had a fantastic run in 2024! The men’s team won Silver at the National Rugby 7s Championship and secured Bronze in the All India Rugby Championship after a hard-fought match against Future Hope Harlequins. Both the men’s and women’s teams also triumphed by clinching the prestigious Calcutta Cup. Additionally, several of their athletes proudly represented West Bengal at national championships, showcasing their talent and determination throughout the season! |
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Future Star Sports Academy Future Stars Sports Academy had an outstanding year in rugby! Three athletes were selected for the Odisha Women’s Rugby team, who claimed the championship title in the Senior Women’s Rugby 7s. The academy’s team also showcased their dominance by successfully defending their title at the Delhi Rugby 7s Tournament held in New Delhi. A huge congratulations to all the players and officials for their hard work and continued success! |
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District Taekwondo Association District Taekwondo Association, Varanasi, had an impressive showing at the Champions of Champions National Tournament 2024 held in Nashik, Maharashtra. Six athletes participated, with standout performances including Yashwini Singh's gold in the girls' individual Poomsae event and Vineet Singh's gold in the Under-172 Kyorugi category. Shivanshu Patel and Yashwini Singh secured a silver in the pair event, while the boys' team also clinched silver. In total, they brought home 2 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal. |
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The second half of the year promises even more exciting opportunities for our athletes and partners. We remain committed to delivering impactful programs, expanding support, and ensuring that every athlete has the tools they need to succeed on and off the field. |
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Badminton Excellence Program |
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The Simply Sport Foundation's Badminton Excellence Program, led by former national champion Arvind Bhat, is dedicated to revitalizing badminton talent in Karnataka by providing advanced training facilities at the Machaxi Sports Center in Bellandur, Bengaluru. The program has seen significant success, with players like Saneeth S Dayanand, ranked No. 2 in India, winning the Pune All India Event and targeting a Top 50 world ranking by 2026 and Olympic qualification by 2028. Other notable athletes include Orijith Chaliha, aiming for a Top 75 world ranking by 2026, and newcomer Tanya Hemanth, ranked 65 globally, with similar Olympic ambitions. Six young girls aged 14-17 and a dedicated group of junior boys are rigorously training, with a focus on developing future national and international competitors. The program's players have consistently excelled in tournaments, showing promise in both national and international events. |
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The Female Athlete Leadership Program |
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Thrilled to welcome the new batch of 21 talented girls to our Female Athlete Leadership Program (FALP) in collaboration with Anantapur Sports Academy (ASA). Kicking off with Orientation and modules on Female Athlete Health, Leadership & Soft Skills, and Financial Literacy, we’re off to a strong start with the new batch.
This year, we've enhanced our program, introducing internships, counselling, and much more. |
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Female Athletes Scholarship Program |
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In this quarter, a total of 17 scholarship athletes competed at the national level, 4 at the state level, 7 at the zonal level, and 4 at the district level across various sports, including Taekwondo, Football, Hockey, Rugby, and Cycling. Notably, some athletes secured national championships in the sub-junior category, showcasing exceptional talent. Additionally, several athletes of Ananthapur Sports Academy contributed to their team’s success, earning a bronze medal at the Hockey India Sub-Junior National Championship. These achievements reflect the growing impact of Simply Sport’s scholarship program, highlighting the athletes’ dedication and progress. |
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At the Simply Periods initiative, we had another very eventful quarter with new partnerships, research and over 20 workshops across India. In these 3 months, we impacted more than 1200 athletes and coaches through our workshops. |
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We covered our Grant partners Y-Ultimate, Republican Sports Club and Sanskriti Gurukul in Delhi, Mumbai and Nanded respectively. We also continued with running the menstruation and sports module for the Badminton Association of India Advance Coaches Certification program happening in Raipur and Guwahati. In Madhya Pradesh, we went to 25 villages across the state and covered more than 375 girls and 27 teachers across 27 schools. In Pune, through our new partnership with Enabling Leadership, we conducted a peer-to-peer training program for 5 young leaders on puberty, menstruation and menstrual hygiene. These 5 leaders will take this program to over 250 peers in across 5 schools in Pune and empower them with the right knowledge on these crucial topics. |
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At first, we also put up a kiosk for swimming athletes and parents informing them about menstruation and myths surrounding the sport of swimming in the Karnataka Senior state selection trial held at Bangalore. We were also invited to speak about ‘Managing Menstruation for High-Performance Athletes/ in a conference conducted by The SES Network for Sports Scientists in India. |
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In a new partnership with Capri Sports and UP Warriorz and in collaboration with the UP State Sports Department we were able to take our workshops across four districts Lucknow, Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Badohi and impact over 450 athletes and 100 coaches. In our ongoing partnership with the Badminton World Federation, we along with Manipal University have been awarded a research grant to do a year long study on understanding the impact of menstrual cycle on elite and sub-elite Badminton players. This will be a first-of-its-kind study for the sport in India, and may be the world.
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To know more about Simply Periods and workshops, contact- 📞: 8850504513 📧 : aditi.m@simplysport.in |
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Suicide Prevention Month Collaboration:
In September, we organized a successful suicide prevention and awareness live session in collaboration with Mpower. This event saw active participation from over 300 individuals within the sport industry, bringing crucial attention to mental health challenges in the sporting community.
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Slum Soccer Academy - Nagpur
We designed and delivered our first-ever 6-hour module at Slum Soccer Academy, Nagpur. The focus was on mental well-being and educating support staff in sport communities. We equipped them with the tools to foster better mental health practices.
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Workshops with Partners: We conducted sessions in partnership with Mrida Foundation and SSM Nanded, focusing on mental health education and well-being in sports. Additionally, as part of the CSR initiative with Trelleborg, we organized workshops for South United FC and Dribbles Academy, engaging coaches and support staff to further our mission of promoting mental health in the sporting community. |
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In total, over the span of three months, we conducted 6 impactful sessions and workshops across multiple regions, ensuring mental health awareness reaches diverse sections of the sports industry by impacting 400 + individuals in the sport community |
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To know more about Simply Smiles and to conduct workshops, contact- 📞: 8147575700 📧 : notifications@simplysport.in |
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As a part of the Simply Periods Initiative, we have made two new partnerships, the first one with Capri Sports and UP Warriorz CSR vertical. We are taking our workshops to the state of Uttar Pradesh and empowering female athletes and coaches on menstruation and its impact on performance. The project will cover 1000 female athletes and coaches across 60 districts. It will also collect data and publish a report on the key findings from the state on the perspectives of menstrual health and hygiene and its interplay with sports. |
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In our second partnership with Enabling Leadership our new Peer-to-Peer Educational Program will focus on educating young minds about puberty, menstruation, and sex differences, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both girls and boys in schools. Through interactive and engaging sessions, we'll transform students into peer educators, spreading knowledge and support throughout their communities. |
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National Sports Day On August 29th, in celebration of Major Dhyan Chand's birthday, SSF and its partners hosted a series of fun activities and sporting competitions. Over 500 athletes participated, making the event a grand success and a wonderful tribute to India's sports legend. |
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Inter-Village Tournament Nav Sahyog Foundation organized a large-scale Inter-Village Kho-Kho and Kabaddi Tournament in Tumkur, featuring over 400 athletes from 300 villages. This event provided an excellent platform for grassroots talent to showcase their skills and compete at a high level.
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Launch of Child Safeguarding Policy We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new Child Safeguarding Policy, designed to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all our young athletes. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our children. This policy outlines our commitment to protecting them from harm and ensuring that they thrive in a secure environment. |
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Simply Sport Annual Dinner The Simply Sport Annual Dinner, held on 20th September in Bangalore, was a grand success, bringing together top sports personalities like PR Sreejesh, Anju Bobby George, Neha Aggarwal, and more to discuss "Decoding India’s Performance at Paris Olympics 2024." Veteran journalist Sharda Ugra, along with Deepthi Bopaiah and Mustafa Ghouse, also shared their valuable insights. A special thanks to partners Wealth 360 One and all attendees for their support in empowering India's future champions!
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Soft Skills Graduation for Future Stars Sports Academy Athletes As part of the ongoing commitment to holistic athlete development, a year-long Spoken English Soft Skills program was successfully concluded for 39 athletes from Future Stars Sports Academy. This initiative, supported by the Simply Sport Foundation (SSF), aimed at equipping these young athletes with essential leadership and communication skills, empowering them not only for their sporting careers but for life beyond the field as well. The program focused on developing their proficiency in spoken English, enhancing their ability to express themselves confidently in various settings, from interviews to public speaking. In addition to language skills, the athletes were trained in soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and personal branding—crucial attributes for success in today's world.
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4. Stories From Our Ecosystem |
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"Charitraya Mogaveera: From Backyard Dreams to State-Level Cricket" |
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In Kundapura, Udupi, a remarkable young cricketer named Charitraya Mogaveera is breaking barriers and inspiring a generation of girls to pursue their dreams, particularly in sports. Raised by a single mother who works as a clerk in a small-scale industry, Charitraya faced numerous challenges, from financial constraints to societal discouragement. Yet, her determination and passion for cricket have turned obstacles into stepping stones for success. From an early age, Charitraya was determined to play cricket, but the environment around her was anything but supportive. As the only girl in her community interested in the sport, she often faced ridicule from neighbours who doubted the viability of a career in sports, especially for a girl. Denied entry into practice nets due to her gender, she patiently waited until the boys finished practising. Without access to proper equipment, she honed her skills using old, worn-out balls rejected by other players and borrowed pads that her mother, ever supportive, stitched to keep usable. |
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Despite these hardships, Charitraya’s dedication never wavered. Initially aspiring to become a batter, she transitioned into bowling, where she found her true passion. Her mother, though unfamiliar with cricket techniques, learned from online videos and helped Charitraya perfect her technique. Over time, her progress could no longer be ignored, and the academy that once turned her away invited her in. The very boys who once doubted her abilities became her supporters, and soon, the community that had mocked her began celebrating her success.
Charitraya's perseverance has not only transformed her own life but also the sports culture in her region. Her efforts led to the formation of the first girls' cricket team in her school, a significant milestone in a district where opportunities for girls in sports were limited. Charitraya captained the team as they competed at Taluk, District, and State levels, including a memorable runner-up finish in the sub-junior national tournament in Belgaum. |
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Her selection into the Six Cricket Academy marked a turning point in her journey, providing her with professional coaching, exposure, and recognition. Today, she is focused on becoming one of the fastest bowlers in the country, with her sights set on representing India in the U19 team and playing franchise cricket across various leagues. Her story is a testament to resilience, with her community now rallying behind her, acknowledging her grit and potential.
Charitraya Mogaveera’s journey is just beginning, but her achievements already shine as a beacon of hope and possibility for young athletes, especially girls, across Kundapura and beyond. Through sheer determination, she is proving that no dream is too big when you have the courage to chase it. |
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We are excited to announce our partnership with Rainmatter, an initiative by Zerodha, for our Simply Periods project. Established in 2019, Rainmatter is a non-profit organization in India that supports efforts focused on climate action, environmental health, and related livelihoods. As part of this collaboration, Rainmatter will provide a grant of ₹25 lakhs to help Simply Periods expand its reach to new regions and enhance its content covering more topics on female health for athletes. |
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7. Welcoming New Members To The Team |
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Nishkala Reddy is a sports psychologist whose research interests include intersectionality, and sports psychology. You would see her reading fiction, embroidering, reading random research papers, and watching shows and sports in her free time. She believes that sports can bring social transformation and hopes to contribute to it.
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Dhanraj V Sawanth With an undergraduate degree in engineering and over three years of experience in the IT sector, his deep-rooted passion for sports led Dhanraj to simultaneously take on part-time and volunteer roles across various sports domains. These experiences allowed him to gain practical skills in event planning, team coordination, and grassroots sports development. Building on this foundation, he pursued and recently completed an MBA in Sports Management from Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University (TNPESU). He is now deeply committed to advancing sports development across multiple areas and creating opportunities for athletes at all levels. |
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Shraddha Shetty completed her Bachelor’s degree in Arts, majoring in six papers of psychology, from a renowned college within the University of Mumbai. Born and raised in Mumbai, she has roots in Udupi, Mangalore. What began as a fascination with psychology in sports has blossomed into a passionate career path for her. Recognizing that sports psychology is a niche field often clouded by myths and stigmas, Shradha is determined to break these barriers. Through this internship opportunity, she aims to deepen her knowledge of the field and develop the skills necessary to drive meaningful change.
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Ever since its inception, Simply Sport, Simply Periods and Simply Smiles has maintained an article page comprising pieces written on a wide range of sporting topics by individuals hailing from various walks of life. This quarter, we posted 9 articles on our website. |
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Performance Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms |
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Paris Paralympics 2024: A Comprehensive Look at Indian Athletes Qualified for the Marquee Event |
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World Youth Day 2024: From Clicks to Progress – Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development in Sports |
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Understanding the psychology behind Injury Recovery |
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Psychology of Grassroot Athletes |
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FemTech in Sports: Revolutionizing Women’s Health and Performance |
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Who Defines “She” in Sports? |
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The Silent Struggle of Nutrition Challenges for Female Athletes |
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