PANJIM: Dempo Group and Nurturing Excellence in Sports Trust (NEST) along with John Paul II Foundation for Sports Goa launched ‘Khelegi toh Khilegi’, in Goa which is a football based programme for the girl child with the message the World at her feet.
Khelegi toh Khilegi has been aimed at developing girls football in the country, with an intention to empower the girl child and using football as a tool to break gender stereotypes, improve self-esteem and develop leadership skills. Apart from identifying talent amongst these girls, Khelegi toh Khilegi provided training in football to the girls with the objective of seeing them represent India at global sporting events. Simultaneous workshops on life skills were organised , where issues relating to the girl child were addressed.
The first event was held at the Athletics Stadium, Bambolim on November 29 where over 600 girls took part from various GFDC centre’s, School’s and NGO’s across North Goa with the programme was graced by Shrinivas Dempo, Chairman Dempo Group and the second event was held at the Raia Sports Complex on December 1 where over 400 girls participated from South Goa and Karnagaran Naidoo, Technical Director Youth Development, Dempo Sports Club Pvt Ltd was present. The Indian women’s team Coach Maymol Rocky was present along with other international women players scouting the young talent.
Shrinivas Dempo, Dempo Group, said, ‘‘Khelegi Toh Khilegi’ promises to be an exciting initiative for us in football. In soccer- crazy Goa, it had been men’s football that was dominant. With the attention turning to girls playing football in Bambolim and Raia, the beautiful game crosses gender and enthuses girls to play, watch, and get involved. I applaud the endeavour to get girls to flower into sportswomen and citizens. I sincerely hope that ‘she who plays shall become a fully formed individual!
Kennedy D’silva, John Paul II Foundation for Sports (Goa) said, We have a lot of young raw footballers in the districts of Goa who are now pursuing their sporting dreams and with the initiative of NEST in Goa they would be Given the right guidance and direction, they will not only bring glory to the state but also to the nation. ‘It’s our fundamental responsibility to identify and nurture girls and see more and more girls taking up the sport, and benefitting from the grassroots program especially among the marginalised and the underprivileged communities .’
Maneesh Bahuguna, Managing Trustee, NEST said, “In the past decade, women sportspersons have been performing consistently at the international level. Through Khelegi toh Khilegi initiative we aim to empower these girls and also promote gender equality. We will provide basic facilities and world class coaching to these young talents and we hope the girls will be benefiting from the program.’
As an initiative, Khelegi toh Khilegi will strive to not only develop girls football, but also act as an agent of change to bring about a positive impact to empower the girl child.”
Khelegi toh Khilegi, with a view to empower girls, break gender stereotypes will also aim to increase the opportunities for girls from the non-urbanised and backward sections of the country. NEST is associating with several NGO’s, which work on social issues concerning young girls in the urban and rural areas.
