Gurugram – In a shared mission to student empowerment has brought meaningful change to the village of Kaimri, Hisar, where Skyline Foundation & Structures (P) Ltd and Roots Foundation have been working together since September 2024, to harness the power of sports as a tool for education and life skills development.
During a comprehensive needs assessment, it was found that in a region where students of Classes 7 and 8 of two schools consistently underperformed—averaging just 51% against Haryana’s 56.5%—this collaboration set out to address not just academics but also the underlying issues of motivation, engagement, and access. What emerged was a model rooted in a simple insight: the children of Kaimri are passionate about football.
Roots Foundation introduced structured football training to instill critical life skills such as focus, discipline, responsibility, and teamwork. These values have led to notable improvements in academic interest and classroom performance. With regular training, mentorship, and structured routines, students have begun developing a stronger sense of accountability and purpose — both on and off the field.
With generous support from Skyline Foundation & Structures (P) Ltd, Roots Foundation mobilized the local community, drawing support from key influencers and engaging 70–80 students with limited or no access to sports training or infrastructure. These students now benefit from free, professional football coaching in Kaimri. Beyond athletic development, they are part of an encouraging, growth-oriented ecosystem that supports both academic and personal progress.
Over the past eight months, tangible improvements have been observed. Students are now more regular in school, more confident in class, and increasingly eager to learn. Several participants have gone on to represent their schools in SGFI events in both football and softball, showcasing their growing versatility and potential.
Teachers and community members have reported improved classroom behaviour, enhanced self-esteem, and stronger peer relationships. Notably, school attendance among participating students increased by approximately 9% between September and January.
Roots Foundation also identified four high-potential footballers and enrolled them in Vision Football Academy, Gurugram — a Centre of Excellence under the Foundation’s aegis. These students receive nutritious meals, advanced training, and travel support. They have competed in prestigious tournaments such as the DPDL, Pride Cup, Gurgaon Youth League, and Delhi Youth League, clocking over 60 days of high-performance training.
“Sports can be an incredible catalyst for change,” said Apoorv, Founder, Vision Football Academy. “Through football, we’re witnessing meaningful shifts — not just in how students play, but in how they think, behave, and study. This is just the beginning of something powerful.”
“At Roots Foundation, we believe in tapping into the innate strengths of every community. In Kaimri, it was football. We are trying to align that passion with structured support, and with this, the motive is to not only nurture athletes but to build confident, curious learners who are ready to shape their own futures,” said Ritwik Bahuguna, Founder, Roots Foundation.
Together, Skyline Foundation & Structures (P) Ltd and Roots Foundation are creating a scalable model for student empowerment — one where academics and athletics complement each other, and every child is given the opportunity to thrive both on the field and in the classroom. The program aims to promote holistic development by nurturing discipline, teamwork and academic curiosity, ensuring children from all backgrounds are equipped to pursue their fullest potential.
In the coming years, both Skyline and Roots are committed to deepening this initiative by expanding into more geographies and reaching even more children, creating a broader impact and a stronger foundation for future-ready youth across the country.
