Essar Foundation, in collaboration with Remackyn Soccer Academy, organised a month-long football and hockey tournament in November 2025 for migrant workers living and working in Mumbai. The initiative was organised under the aegis of The Chota-Nagpur Players (Odisha) and brought together participants originally from Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Matches were held at the St. Francis D’Assisi Grounds in Borivali West.
The tournament, played under floodlights, featured 11-a-side teams with five substitutes in the Men’s category. A total of 20 football teams and 20 hockey teams competed. The event also saw strong participation beyond the men’s league, with eight teams joining the Women’s football category (7-a-side) and four teams competing in the Under-12 Children’s football category.
In all, 760 participants took part, which included 640 men, 80 women and 40 children. This made the tournament one of the largest community sporting events for migrant workers in the city.
What stood out was the sheer joy and passion on the field. Many of the participants juggle long working hours and demanding livelihoods, often leaving little room for recreation. For them, this tournament became a rare moment of celebration, a chance to relive their love for football and hockey, reconnect with their roots, and spend time with their families, who were present in large numbers to cheer them on. Essar Foundation ensured that players and families were provided with snacks and lunch throughout the event.
Speaking at the tournament, Mr Dominic D’Souza from Essar Foundation commented:
“It was inspiring to watch the migrant workers play with such enthusiasm and energy, and even more heartening to see women and children join in. These participants are incredibly talented. Many of them could excel in professional sports if they had the right opportunities. Unfortunately, in the pursuit of livelihood, their sporting dreams often take a backseat. This tournament offered them a moment of leisure, recognition and joy. Essar Foundation is proud to support this initiative and stand with the migrant community.”
The event not only celebrated sport but also reaffirmed Essar Foundation’s commitment to fostering community well-being, inclusion and opportunities for those who often remain on the margins of urban life.
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