A year on from the SCCWC, Team India Crocodiles continue the legacy…
In the slum settlements of Bhubaneswar, Pro Sport Development’s (PSD) – Team India Crocodiles has been making a transformative impact by offering street connected children a life-changing opportunities through sport.
Now in its second year, this innovative, mixed-gender initiative uses cricket as a tool to promote health, leadership, and critical life skills while tackling important social issues like gender-based discrimination and child rights.
Over the past two years, the programme has engaged 100 students – 47 girls and 53 boys – aged 13-16, from four community schools in Bhubaneswar’s slum areas. These students, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are honing their cricket skills while also developing leadership qualities and increasing their awareness about gender equality and child rights. The programme has created opportunities for these young people that they may not have otherwise accessed.
Participants have already benefitted from exposure to summer camps, mixed-gender tournaments, and workshops. This year, PSD successfully hosted its second Mixed-Gender Community Cricket Tournament, supported by The Upamanyu Mallik Initiative (TUMI). A significant highlight of this year’s event was the invitation extended to the Hope Foundation Kolkata (Team India Panthers), who joined PSD participants for the tournament, marking a milestone in expanding the programme’s reach and collaboration.
With plans to expand to new cohorts, PSD remains committed to its mission of empowerment, fostering inclusive leadership, and building a brighter future for slum-based youth in Odisha. Through programmes like this, PSD is helping to create a more equitable society where every child, regardless of background, has the chance to thrive.
