KHEL Paathshala 2024 Event Programme

EVENT PROGRAMME

WELCOME

We extend a warm welcome to all participants of KHEL Paathshala, supported by THE GROW Fund This inaugural event boasts an exceptional lineup of speakers and panellists, each having made a profound impact on the lives of individuals from underserved communities. Our chosen theme, 'Inclusivity in Sport,' highlights our collective efforts towards ensuring accessibility to sports for all. Through engaging discussions, we aim to cultivate a dynamic learning environment where participants leave with newfound insights.

Enclosed within these pages, you will find detailed information about our esteemed speakers and panellists We encourage you to familiarise yourself with their backgrounds and seize the opportunity to interact with them during dedicated Q&A sessions throughout the event. We firmly believe in the power of collaboration and are eager to explore how the knowledge gained here can be implemented to effect positive change in our organisations and daily lives.

At OSCAR Foundation, our dedication to the principle of inclusion is unwavering Our programmes are deeply rooted in the values of equity and empowerment, ensuring that every initiative reflects our commitment to standing alongside and uplifting those who have been underserved. Today's event serves as a testament to this commitment, building upon our successful activations at events such as the TATA Mumbai Marathon, International Women’s Day and the 'Treble Trophy Tour' with City Football Group. Through these platforms, we have championed inclusive ideas, firmly advocating that sport is for everyone, regardless of gender, religion, caste, disability, or sexual orientation

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Grow Fund for their generous support of today’s event. Anchored by the Edelgive Foundation, this initiative has played a pivotal role in strengthening OSCAR's capacities and key functions. We are honoured to welcome Naghma Mulla, COO of Edelgive Foundation, as a keynote speaker today. Additionally, we express our sincere appreciation to our funding partners, many of who will be in attendance and represented on stage by exceptional individuals We are truly excited to host all of you and look forward to an inspiring and fruitful conference

SPEAKERS

Keynote Speaker

NAGHMA MULLA

CEO, Edelgive Foundation

Naghma is the CEO and Director on the Board at EdelGive Foundation Over the last decade, she has driven the vision of the EdelGive, strengthening its core principles of collaborative philanthropy; and transforming it from a grant-making foundation to a philanthropic asset management platform, today. Over the years, she has forged valuable partnerships with diverse stakeholders and has been the brainchild for innovative collaborations in Education, Migration, Women, Climate and Capacity Building at EdelGive. In addition to her role at EdelGive, she is also General Board Member at Goonj, India Climate Collaborative. She also provides strategic guidance to the Migrants Resilience Collaborative, the largest migrant collective in the world. Naghma is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Special Guest Speaker

DEVAL SANGHAVI

Co-founder & Partner, Dasra

Deval Sanghavi is the co-founder of Dasra, a non-profit dedicated to driving systemic change within the social impact ecosystem in India Leading philanthropic efforts at Dasra, he has directed over INR 2900 Crore into the Indian social sector since 1999

Deval‘s belief in the transformative power of sport for development is evident through his role as a founding board member of Magic Bus. He has actively championed the integration of sport into national development agendas, advocated for harnessing the potential of sport to instil resilience, leadership and hope with youth and vulnerable communities. His contribution to Dasra's "Power of Play" report further emphasizes the links between developmental outcomes and sport. With a diverse background spanning investment banking and philanthropy, Deval brings a unique perspective to the intersection of sport and social change. His unwavering belief in the transformative potential of sport, coupled with his strategic acumen, positions him as a dynamic and influential figure within the realm of social development.

PANEL ON DISABILITY INCLUSION IN SPORT

Panellist

DR. ABHIJEET BARSE

CEO, Slum Soccer

Meet Abhijeet Barse, CEO of Slum Soccer, committed to transforming lives through football. With a vision deeply rooted in social change and empowerment, Abhijeet leads Slum Soccer's mission to uplift marginalised communities across India. Joining the organisation founded by his father, Vijay Barse, over a decade ago, Abhijeet has extended its reach, empowering thousands through sports-based programmes. His leadership combines expertise in community development with a fervent commitment to addressing issues like education and gender equality. Beyond Slum Soccer, Abhijeet advocates tirelessly for youth empowerment, inspiring communities towards a brighter, more inclusive future.

Panellist

CHETNA BHATT

Head- Administration and Secretary of the Board, Jai Vakeel Foundation

Chetna Bhatt began her career journey in 1988 after completing her Masters in Biochemistry, driven by a strong passion for a PhD in Biochemical Genetics. She started at Jai Vakeel Foundation's Genetic Research Centre and later moved to the Education and Skill Development Centre, where she coordinated projects. Over time, she shifted her focus to working with children, eventually leading the residential section in 2014. Now, she oversees HR and administration and serves as the Secretary of the Board of Management. Throughout her 30-year career, she has found great joy in working with children with special needs, inspired by their incredible abilities.

PANEL ON DISABILITY INCLUSION IN SPORT

Panellist

RAHUL RAMUGADE

Player of the Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team

Meet Rahul Ramugade, an Indian Wheelchair Cricketer from Mumbai. Despite his disability from Polio affecting both legs, Rahul's love for cricket was unwavering. From playing on a skateboard in childhood to becoming Captain of the Mumbai Wheelchair Cricket Team, he's showcased remarkable skill and leadership. Since November 2017, Rahul has been a proud member of the Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team, inspiring others with his resilience and passion for the game. Rahul also holds the esteemed position of Captain for Mumbai Wheelchair Cricket Team. Rahul exemplifies the spirit of resilience and perseverance, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams despite the challenges they may face.

Panellist

PRIYA-ANN ARANJO

Vice-Principal, Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind

Priya has been a special educator for the last 21 years and currently serves as the VicePrincipal of Helen Keller Institute of Deaf and Deafblind. During her tenure, she has worked with students of all age groups with vision impairment with additional disabilities specialising in early intervention and academics. She is also a mentor for Sense International, India and has presented papers at various national conferences. She has always had an affinity for sports and played at the school, college and district level hockey tournaments.

PANEL ON DISABILITY INCLUSION IN SPORT

Moderator

SMARINITA SHETTY

Co-founder & CEO, India Development Review (IDR)

Smarinita is responsible for strategy, editorial direction and organisational growth at IDR. She has nearly 25 years of experience leading functions across strategy, operations, sales and business development, largely in startup environments within corporates and social enterprises. Her core expertise and skills lie in building new markets and ecosystems; she has done this successfully with knowledge process outsourcing, low-income housing and adolescent girl empowerment.

Prior to IDR, Smarinita worked at Dasra, Monitor Inclusive Markets (now FSG), JP Morgan and The Economic Times. She also co-founded Netscribes – India’s first knowledge process outsourcing firm. Smarinita’s work and opinion has been featured in The Economist, Times of India, Mint and The Economic Times, among others. She has a BE in Computer Engineering and an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University.

PANEL ON GENDER INCLUSIVITY IN SPORT

PANEL ON GENDER INCLUSIVITY IN SPORT

ALIYA

ELARISS

Public Diplomacy & Communications Manager, Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai

Aliya Elariss’ career has been focused on advancing sustainable people to people ties between Australia and India through culture, education and development After completing undergraduate and masters programmes at the University of Melbourne, she began her career at the Australia India Institute where she curated and delivered their programmes in India. She then went onto an assistant curatorial role at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum. For the last nine years, she has been working with the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai. Currently, she is the Public Diplomacy and Communications Manager.

KALYANI SUBRAMANYAM

CEO, Maitrayana Charity Foundation

With a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management, Kalyani Subramanyam has 25 years of experience working on issues of Gender, HIV and Sexuality. Before joining Maitrayana, Kalyani spent 18 years at The Naz Foundation (India) Trust. As a staunch advocate for women’s rights, she spearheaded the development of the ‘Young People’s Initiative’: A Women’s Empowerment initiative that utilises sport, life skills education and leadership development to empower adolescent girls and young women to access their rights and fulfil their potential. The YPI has impacted more than 130,000 girls across the country. Kalyani has led the programme to prioritise economic justice, skills building, mentoring young women and facilitating access to economic empowerment pathways. In 2017, she was honoured with the Goal Lifetime Achievement Award for her pioneering commitment to providing safe spaces for girls to engage in play and participate in life skills education.

Panellist

Panellist

PANEL ON GENDER INCLUSIVITY IN SPORT

Panellist

SAYLI SARFARE

Senior ManagerProgramme Development, Magic Bus India Foundation

Sayli Sarfare is a Senior Manager – Programme Development with 9+ years of experience in the development sector. Sayli holds a master’s degree in medical & psychiatric social work from Pune University. During her 9 years of experience, she has worked extensively in the field of Life Skills. With a passion for promoting gender equality and working on gender inclusion at grassroots, Sayli has been actively involved in Girl-specific projects and initiatives within the organisation.

om the field a very raw understanding of the need for age especially using sports & activities drawing from the s committed to fostering inclusive dialogue, behavioural y-to-day life of children to bring a positive shift in the realm

Panellist

DR. SHILPI SHARMA

COO, OSCAR Foundation

Shilpi is an experienced development professional with nearly 18 years of experience in the social sector. She holds a doctorate from Columbia University School of Social Work, New York and a Masters in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai). Her background as a researcher and her extensive experience as a social worker make her a methodical and skilled asset in not only managing high-performance teams but also understanding the deep-rooted issues within society. She is a staunch believer in the effectiveness of education and lifelong learning. Shilpi has collaborated with organisations such as Magic Bus, Path International and Columbia Global Centers, among others. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Vital Voices Women Lead India fellowship. Since 2021, she has served as the COO at OSCAR, overseeing all programmes. Her comprehensive knowledge and field experience have contributed to OSCAR's expansion into new locations and the development of a robust, sustainable and evidence-based programme.

PANEL ON GENDER INCLUSIVITY IN SPORT

Moderator

ANAND DEVSHARMA

Co-founder and Director, KickOff Solutions

Anand is the co-founder & director of KickOff Solutions, an international sports-fordevelopment platform that unifies grassroots organsations like OSCAR Foundation while supporting underprivileged girl leaders through a multi-year change maker fellowship programme. A corporate switchover, having spent 15 of his 20 year professional career at Google before jumping fully into civil society, Anand is still learning to balance perspectives from the different worlds. A father to two little girls who inspire him towards a future society that is more inclusive for all, he is deeply indebted to both strong female figures like his wife & mother and to sports for shaping his personality today.

PANEL ON GRASSROOTS SPORT FROM AN INCLUSIVE LENS

PANEL ON GRASSROOTS SPORT FROM AN INCLUSIVE LENS

Panellist

SUHEIL TANDON

Director-Founder, Pro Sport Development

Suheil F. Tandon is the Director-Founder of Pro Sport Development, an award-winning social enterprise dedicated to leveraging sport, physical activity and play to provide better futures for young people. Suheil specialises in the sport for development field, with more than 12 years of global experience and has a professional background in sports management and coaching.

Suheil is passionate about creating an ecosystem where the power of sport, physical activity and play are used to catalyse social transformation.

Panellist

GARETH HUGHES

Senior International Programmes Manager, City Football Group

Gareth is a UEFA B licensed coach and joined Manchester City in 2009, as a community football coach within ‘City in the Community (CITC)’. Throughout his time at Manchester City, Gareth has enjoyed many international coaching opportunities, working in various cities.

His current role is the Senior International Programmes Manager. Gareth enjoys working with City Football Clubs and partner charities across the world to improve the health and well-being of children through football. Prior to his commencement in this role, Gareth has always had a passion for fundraising at the football club, having been involved in running the London Marathon, climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling the length of the UK. All to raise money for various chosen charities.

PANEL ON GRASSROOTS SPORT FROM AN INCLUSIVE LENS

Panellist

TANAZ

MOHAMMED

Grassroots & Community Manager, Mumbai City Football Club

Meet Tanaz Mohammed, a sports enthusiast and community leader. As the Manager of Grassroots & Community at Mumbai City Football Club, Tanaz leverages her hockey background to drive positive change. She also has experience as a Head Coach Educator for Premier Skills and is a Gold Medalist from the International Institute of Sports Management. Tanaz's commitment to empowering women through sports earned her the Apollo – Go The Distance Hero Award. With her diverse expertise, Tanaz continues to inspire growth and inclusivity in the sports community.

Panellist

PRABHAT SINHA

Founder, Mann Deshi Champions

Prabhat was born in a farming family in rural India; he grew up in the rural Indian village of Mhaswad. Prabhat is a passionate front-runner who can inspire, drive and achieve results that positively impact the community. A decade of experience demonstrating a passion and sound knowledge of sports in the US and community development for India's rural areas. Prabhat worked in the US with sports brands and athletes from NBA to Track & Field. Prabhat left the US sports Industry to live in a rural village and make Indian villages the future sports hubs of India. Prabhat is an active contributor and speaker at many national and international conferences on rural sports and Asian sports markets. Prabhat is a visiting guest speaker at Georgetown University, Trinity College, NYU, Madrid University, World Bank, Georgetown University MED School and TedX. In addition, Prabhat is an Acumen Fellow and an Ink Fellow.

PANEL ON GRASSROOTS SPORT FROM AN INCLUSIVE LENS

Moderator

TILAK SHAH

Founder and Proprietor, Ace of Blades

Tilak Gaurang Shah is not only a dedicated Manchester United fan for over two decades but also a game-changer in shaping the Indian football scenario. With a background in Commerce and Marketing, Tilak ventured into his passion for quizzing, transforming his bootstrapped start-up Ace of Pubs into India's Largest Quizzing Company. Now, he's taking his commitment to elevate Indian sports further by launching Ace of Blades, a subsidiary of Ace of Pubs, specialising in sports management. This venture, launched in the presence of Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will focus on talent management, sports events, experiences, ticketing and more, aiming to make a significant impact on the world of sports.

COMMUNITY

All OSCAR Foundation programmes are carefully designed to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)