Started in 2009 by Milind Deora, in partnership with Queens Park Rangers (QPR), London, the QPR South Mumbai Junior Soccer Challenger tournament has grown into one of India’s largest community-driven football platforms. Essar has been supporting the initiatives for most of those years. More than 75,000 children from municipal, government-aided and private schools have participated so far, many stepping onto a proper football field for the first time. Each child receives a full playing kit, ensuring that opportunity is equal for all and that every participant feels a sense of pride when they take the field. Girls’ participation has also grown steadily, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the tournament.
A unique highlight of the Challenger is the opportunity for two boys and two girls to attend an all-expenses-paid training programme with QPR in London each year, a life-changing experience for young players who show promise and dedication.
Essar Foundation’s support for the tournament is part of a broader belief in the power of sport as a catalyst for inclusion, empowerment and social change. Over the years, the Foundation has backed differently-abled cricketers, emerging athletes like race walker Priya Gupta and national-level skater Durga Gunjal, and Team India at the World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) 2025, where 14-year-old Madhav Gopal Kamath made history as the first Indian to win a major global Scrabble title. At the grassroots level, Essar Foundation continues to strengthen community football through support for Vibrant FC and an orphanage team, providing structured coaching and training pathways. Beyond India, events like the Essar Chester Half Marathon, one of the UK’s most respected running events, reflect the Foundation’s enduring belief in community participation and the transformative impact of sport.
Its long-standing association with the QPR Junior Soccer Challenger reflects the same commitment: to identify young talent, to nurture potential and to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to sport.
As the South Mumbai Junior Soccer Challenger completes its 15th edition, Essar Foundation remains proud to stand behind this initiative. The tournament continues to show what becomes possible when opportunity meets encouragement and why supporting grassroots sport is one of the most meaningful ways to invest in the next generation.
User