Mumbai, Maharashtra – February 13th, 2026 

Khel Paathshala 2026, convened by OSCAR Foundation, brought together leaders from sports-for-development organizations for a day of dynamic deliberations, inspiring stories, and actionable strategies to transform India’s grassroots sports ecosystem.

The conference united eminent keynote speakers, panelists, and youth voices to chart a bolder path from playgrounds to podiums, fostering inclusive, sustainable sports networks across the nation.

Held at Jio Convention Center, Mumbai, the event sparked innovative ideas on nurturing talent, reimagining India-specific solutions, amplifying grassroots perspectives, and powering progress through partnerships.

Attendees left energized with a shared commitment to building stronger sports cultures that empower youth and drive social impact.

Key Highlights and Sessions:

Opening Remarks: Ashok Rathod, Founder and CEO of OSCAR Foundation, set the stage for collaborative action in grassroots sports.

Keynote Address 1: 

Paul Murphy, Australian Consul General to Western India

Panel 1: Playground to Podium – Building a Sports Culture in India

Moderator: Ashish Shah (Independent Consultant – Sports Business)

Panelists:

■ Gaurav Sharga (Lead, RF Youth Sports, Reliance Foundation)

■ Sai Krishnan (Director, Anantapur Sports Academy)

■ Prabhat Sinha (Founder, Mann Deshi Champions)

■ Ashok Rathod (Founder and CEO, OSCAR Foundation)

Discussions focused on strategies to nurture talent from local fields to national glory.

Panel 2: Voice of Grassroots Sports

Moderator: Dr. Shilpi Sharma (COO, OSCAR Foundation)

Panelists:

■ Meenakshi (Rajasthan),

■ Sonu (Rajasthan),

■ Ashma (Daman)

■ Saloni (Mumbai).

Youth from community initiatives shared raw stories and challenges, highlighting the heart of grassroots efforts.

Panel 3: Unique Solutions for India’s Grassroots – Reimagining Grassroots Sports

Moderator: Stuart Christie (Director, Volenti Academy)

Panelists:

■ Neel Shah (CEO, Dream Sports Foundation)

■ Parminder Gill (Co-Founder & Head of Foundation, Sportz Village)

■ Sanjay Singh (Chief, UNICEF Maharashtra Office, Mumbai)

■ Arup Soans (CEO, Indian Sports Management Association)

Experts explored scalable, India-centric innovations to amplify impact.

Keynote Address 2: 

Jatin Goyal, DANICS Officer (Former Director of Education, UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)

Panel 4: Powering Progress Through Collaboration – Building Strong Sports Ecosystems

Moderator: Anirban Chakraborty (Senior Programme Lead, GoSports Foundation)

Panelists:

■ Anirudh Kalia (Associate Professor of Practice – Sports Management, Jio Institute)

■ Anju Turambekar (Founder & President, AT Foundation | International Football Coach)

■ Yash Jain (CSR Project Lead, LIC Housing Finance Limited)

■ Kshitij Patil (Vice President, Physical Literacy, Dani Sports Foundation)

■ Arati Kakatkar (Vice President, Procam International)

The session underscored the power of partnerships for sustainable networks.

The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Lucinda Sowerbutts, Director of OSCAR International, reinforcing calls for ongoing collaboration.

“Khel Paathshala 2026 was a catalyst for real change,” said Ashok Rathod, Founder and CEO of OSCAR Foundation.

“By uniting diverse voices, we’ve unlocked actionable pathways to make grassroots sports a cornerstone of India’s future – empowering youth, fostering inclusion, and building ecosystems that last.”

Connect with OSCAR Foundation to join the movement and drive India’s grassroots sports forward.

About OSCAR Foundation: 

OSCAR Foundation is a community-based Sports for Development (S4D) organisation that uses football to keep children in school, promote gender equality, and build essential life skills.

Since 2010, we have empowered over 35,000+ children and young people from low-income communities across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Goa, and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, helping them unlock their potential, and prepare for a brighter future.

For more information, visit https://www.oscar-foundation.org/