The Beautiful Game

Paradkar,who has worked in the US as a flight instructor,had to return to India after his work visa expired in 2009. Paradkar soon started playing for Mumbai District Football Association (MFDA)

“While playing matches in Thane,some friends and I came across Youth Soccer Academy,run by Taposh Ghosh. Ghosh was training children from economically weaker sections of society and was also helping them to play under-15 football tournaments. However,we found that Ghosh was facing a shortage of funds,” said Paradkar.

Paradkar decided to stay back in India and work on promoting football at the grassroots level in the country. Along with his friends,he started raising funds. “We started by chipping in money from our own pockets and donated footballs and other accessories to the kids. Later,we started keeping collection boxes at youth hangouts around Thane. We appealed to people to donate for the cause.”

Gradually,they felt the urge to widen their horizons from helping just one football academy to promoting the game across the country. The bunch aims at changing the football scenario in the country by bringing together small football clubs and organising league matches. In February last year,Paradkar and friends formed a non-profit organisation,Society for Sports and Social Welfare (SSSW). The NGO not only promotes football and other sports under FBG but also lends a helping hand in the areas of education and healthcare.

“We kept organising fund-raising activities at random. We registered the organisation on the advice of a lawyer who came forward to support our cause. Through FBG,we aim at creating a common online platform for small football clubs,academies and training centres. Indian football is looked upon as a liability. While thousands of youngsters follow the English Premier League and international soccer players,not many follow Indian leagues. This is a dampener for the local teams. We want to change this.”

Germany-based Indian football expert Arunava Chaudhuri said,“FBG is doing a great job promoting football at the local grassroots level. The initiative is something to support.”

FBG had also organised a fund-raiser tournament,Dermalogica Football League,from February 27-April 24. Matches were organised between 10 teams representing various clubs and academies across Mumbai. FBG not only managed to organise the league but also found a partner in Dermalogica India to sponsor the initiative.

Bejal Mehta,managing director,Dermalogica India,said,“I liked the idea behind the group: To improve and promote the local football scene. We are happy to be associated with the project.”

“All we want is that the Indian football scenario should get the respect it deserves,” said Paradkar.