Sports as a Means to Rise out of Abject POverty
Who We Are
Partnering to build a world where at-risk children have access to sport and develop themselves holistically through it
At DAF, we run a program that uses team sports and education to build character, confidence, and courage. It is a place where children, half of which are girls, can meet to compete, achieve goals, and create brighter futures.
What started out with as a very modest set-up with a hoop, 2 bamboo poles and 2 students; is now geared up to take on the challenge to change mindsets on how basketball as a sport has the capacity to change the picture of the children and youth in the country. Today, Dribble Academy Foundation is present in 7 villages across 2 states, operating with over 2000 children enrolled in the programme; with more than 700 girls.
Current Geographical areas of intervention are:
Our Approach
We Facilitate Safe Learning Spaces
No other thing in life affords children such opportunity to develop positive character traits and to soak up many quality values as sports does. Here are some benefits that may come from playing sports:
Kids’ character and moral principles are formed through fair play. Moreover, children who are actively engaged in sports can be good role models for their peers from school, neighbourhood, or even school choir, and inspire them to start playing some sports as well.
Playing sports enables them to create friendships they otherwise might not have formed. For example, the friendships professional athletes create on the field remain intact even when they are not playing sports, and often last a lifetime.
Sports bring people together from all over the world, regardless of their nationality, religion, culture, or skin color.
Teamwork and benefits of social interaction among children are best seen in sports. Kids learn they are part of a team that requires the same effort from all members to succeed, as well as how to win with class, and lose with dignity.
They view competitions on and off the field as opportunities to learn from their success and failure. In addition, losing often motivates kids to work even harder for next time.
— Our Mission
- To provide an equal opportunity platform to children from all socio-economic backgrounds.
- Holistic development of children by the way of introducing sports into their daily lives, in a safe and enabling environment.
- To inspire at-risk children to lead a life devoid of drug abuse, petty crimes and child labour.
- Empower children to be enterprising, aware, conscientious members of the society and achieve their life goals.
- Support communities to flourish by creating opportunities for everyone.
— Our Vision
To ensure that every child in India is introduced and exposed to the sport of basketball. We aim to impact the lives of at least 1,00,000 children in India by 2020, with a focus on gender neutrality.
Partners
