From Grassroots to Glory
A first-of-a-kind sports initiative Bano Champion-मैदान से मंज़िल तक aims to provide a platform of guided sports training in rural and semi-urban areas of Rajasthan. The programme focuses on creating champions in sports such as athletics, football, throwball, and volleyball along with games of local preference.
Initiated in October 2021 across 30 locations, the programme had further outreached 75+ rural and semi-urban locations covering 15 districts of Rajasthan. Currently, more than 6000 kids & youth are being trained under the guidance of over 90 trained Coaches and sub-coaches, besides a large support of volunteers.
Key Objectives
- Create a culture of sports in the areas of operation.
- Identify and train local youth as sports coaches.
- Engage trained youth in delivering sports training to children.
- Identify and engage children from rural and underserved communities in structured sports activities.
- Organize sports competitions at village, district, and state levels.
- Train children to participate in state and national-level events.
- Support the development of sports infrastructure.
- Develop a sustainable grassroots-to-elite sports ecosystem.
- Scout promising athletes at the village/block level and provide them with systematic coaching and development pathways.
- Organize sports competitions at village, district, and state levels.
- Train children to participate in state and national-level events.
- Support the development of sports infrastructure.
- Develop a sustainable grassroots-to-elite sports ecosystem.
- Scout promising athletes at the village/block level and provide them with systematic coaching and development pathways.
Implementation
Coach Identification & Development ProgrammeThis programme began by identifying coaches from local areas. These coaches were primarily individuals who had previously participated in sports at the national level.
They were chosen based on their proven dedication and performance in sports. For the on-ground execution, coaches undergo capacity building programmes.
This training focuses on equipping them with advanced coaching techniques and methodologies.
As part of their development, the sessions cover a range of crucial aspects, including sports techniques and strategies such as:
- Sports Science that helps coaches to understand the physiological and biomechanical aspects of sports and enhance their coaching effectiveness.
- Sessions from sports experts are organised on topics such as sports psychology, injury prevention, nutrition, and more.
- Training on POCSO, and sensitization towards girl players during their menstruation phase are conducted.
Training of AthletesThe Bano Champion program recruits local sports enthusiasts and athletes from semi-urban and rural areas, particularly high-priority blocks in Rajasthan, as coaches for designated sports locations. Selected individuals complete a structured Coaches Development Program (CDP) offering advanced technical training through partnerships with NIS, AIFF, Inspire Institute of Sport, and TransStadia University. The CDP provides sport-specific methodologies, standardized practices, and professional tools. This investment in local talent ensures community ownership, capacity building, and sustainable, accessible quality sports training at grassroots level.
Sports promoted
under Bano Champion
Football
Athletics
Throwball
Volleyball
Kabaddi
Boxing
Wushu
Locally Preferred Games
Sports TournamentsUnder the Bano Champion grassroots sports project, we organize a diverse range of sports tournaments and competitions across various levels to promote widespread participation and structured talent development. These include Weekend Leagues, Village-Level Tournaments, District-Level Championships, and State-Level Competitions, ensuring regular exposure and progression for young athletes.
The objective is to energize the local sports ecosystem, encourage daily sporting habits, and create a platform where hidden talent from rural and rurban areas can be identified and nurtured. By organizing mass participation events at each stage, we strengthen community involvement and promote the social and physical benefits of sports.
Besides these tournaments, the project regularly energises the ecosystem through Bano Champion Weekend League, an initiative where athletes & sports coaches get to showcase their talent & management capabilities respectively. This 16-week event is conducted independently at all active locations.
Impact
Below are the positions secured by the project beneficiaries in recognized sports tournaments:
Collaborations
