Project Nanhi Kali Honoured with ‘Sports for Social Good’ at Sportstar Aces Awards 2026

Project Nanhi Kali has been conferred the prestigious ‘Sports for Social Good’ honour at the Sportstar Aces Awards 2026, recognising its impactful use of sport as a catalyst for empowering young girls across India.

Implemented by the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust in partnership with the Naandi Foundation, Project Nanhi Kali has consistently championed holistic development through education and life skills. Since the launch of its Sports for Life initiative in 2018, sport has played a transformative role in fostering fitness, confidence, leadership, and resilience among beneficiaries.

By integrating sport into its core programming, the initiative goes beyond academics to challenge deep-rooted societal stereotypes that often limit girls’ participation in sports and public life. It actively promotes both physical and mental wellbeing, enabling young girls to step into spaces traditionally denied to them.

The award was presented by Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson of The Hindu Group, and K. C. Vijaya Kumar, Sports Editor of The Hindu. It was received on behalf of Project Nanhi Kali by Sheetal Mehta, Trustee and Executive Director, K.C. Mahindra Education Trust; Farida Balsara, Senior Vice President and Group Head – CSR, Business and Legal Governance; and Swati Srivastava, Vice President – Partnerships, Project Nanhi Kali.

The presence of ten young beneficiaries at the ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the lives being transformed through the initiative, each representing the programme’s mission to empower girls to dream bigger and lead with confidence.

Expressing gratitude on the occasion, Sheetal Mehta, the spokesperson for Project Nanhi Kali said: “We are deeply honoured that Project Nanhi Kali has been recognised alongside icons from the sporting world at the Sportstar Aces Awards 2026. For our girls, football is more than just a sport, it is a powerful platform to build leadership, resilience and confidence, enabling them to shape their own futures. Receiving the Sports for Social Good award is both a rewarding and humbling moment.”

This recognition reinforces Project Nanhi Kali’s ongoing commitment to creating equal opportunities for girls through innovative, inclusive approaches that combine education with life skills and sports leadership skills. As India continues its journey towards becoming a global sporting nation, initiatives like Project Nanhi Kali demonstrate how sport can drive meaningful social change and contribute to nation-building.