The Real Madrid Foundation visits its social sports projects in India to evaluate their impact
Currently, 600 boys and girls aged between 12 and 15 participate in these schools, with a notable female presence reaching 50%.
The Real Madrid Foundation conducted a follow-up visit to its social sports projects in the city of Trichy, in the state of Tamil Nadu (India), with the aim of evaluating the impact of the program it has been developing since 2012-13 in collaboration with the Hope and Joy Foundation and the local partner TMSSS. During the visit, the Foundation team toured the six social sports schools, held work meetings with the management teams and the local coordinator, and carried out participatory activities with children, families, and coaches to gain firsthand insight into the results achieved, changes perceived by the community, and possible areas for improvement.
The social sports projects of the Real Madrid Foundation in Trichy are carried out in rural areas marked by social and economic vulnerability. Their purpose is to improve the quality of life of minors through football training, academic reinforcement, and comprehensive support that includes medical check-ups, food distribution, and awareness campaigns on healthy habits. Currently, 600 boys and girls aged between 12 and 15 participate in these schools, with a notable female presence reaching 50%, a particularly significant milestone given the barriers often faced by girls and adolescents in accessing sports within the socio-cultural context of the region.
Improvement in Wellbeing
Thanks to the program's comprehensive approach, a profound change has been observed in the family and personal dynamics of the beneficiaries. A unanimous trend highlighted by the three key groups (minors, families, and coaches) is the establishment of greater awareness of healthy habits. Families from the six projects agree that their children are now much more active, value outdoor activities, and have drastically reduced the sedentary behavior associated with mobile phone use. This change is especially transformative for the girls, who previously dedicated their free time almost exclusively to household chores and now have integrated self-care and sports into their daily routine.
Additionally, 100% of the children interviewed agree that the project has transformed their way of interacting: compared to the sense of loneliness they expressed before joining the program, they now highlight socialization and mutual support. As one participant mentioned during the activities: "Football is not just a game, it is teamwork". Meanwhile, the coaches have observed an evolution in the minors' social skills, as they are more communicative, express their feelings more easily, and demonstrate active and receptive listening toward their tutors.
The visit confirmed how this social sports model, which combines sports, education, health, and social support, has established itself as an effective tool for human transformation and development.
Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.