Kicking Off Change: How IYSA Transforms Lives Through Football

A War Cry of Passion: Jasour Kheri’s Football Spirit

1…2…3 Jasour Kheri! Again, 1…2…3… Jasour Kheri!!

The jubilant war cry of 50 young football players in Jasour Kheri, near Bahadurgarh in Haryana, echoed across the field. We feel immensely fortunate to have witnessed one of the most spirited—what we call in Hindi, full of Josh—experiences.

A Special Occasion in the Village

As the warm April afternoon transitioned into a cool evening, we gathered for a special event: a donor from Gurugram had come forward to contribute 60 pairs of football boots to the girls’ football team, facilitated by the India Youth Soccer Association (IYSA).

Josh Rural: Bringing Football to Villages

Arup Das, the Founder of IYSA, often shared stories, photos, and videos from his road trips and visits to villages in Punjab, Haryana, and beyond through Josh Rural, an initiative under IYSA.

This program supports village players and their coaches by providing kits, footballs, equipment, and technical guidance. In one such instance, we accepted his offer to visit Jasour Kheri on a Saturday afternoon.

Witnessing a Moment of Joy

On April 11th, 2025, we accompanied Arup to Jasour Kheri, near Bahadurgarh, Haryana. That day, an IYSA donor from Gurugram donated 60 pairs of football boots to young athletes from the village football academy. The Girls Program was founded in 2023 by Munesh, a dedicated female coach and former Haryana State-level player. When she got married and moved to Jasour Kheri from a village near Bhiwani, and she now trains 40 regular female players.

When Munesh started the program in 2023, IYSA helped by providing Mini goalposts, kits, and footballs and supported a 10-team girls’ league in 2024.

The Event: A Celebration of Sportsmanship

The event was well-organized. Each child’s name was called out one by one as they received their pre-ordered football boots, which were sized perfectly for them.

Once every child had their boots in hand, a friendly match followed, filling the field with excitement and camaraderie.

A Lesson in Simplicity and Strength

We wanted our daughter, who has grown up in the city, to experience this beautiful moment. We watched as boys and girls her age sat patiently on floor mats under the clear blue sky, waiting for their prized possession: football shoes. Their mud-streaked jerseys showcased their passion, yet nothing could dull the glint in their eyes or the eagerness in their smiles. They greeted us with heartfelt “Namaste.”

Unlike their urban counterparts, these children played freely—without distractions like mobile phones or gadgets—just the clean evening breeze, soil underfoot, and trees swaying gently around them.

This Wasn’t Charity—It Was Empowerment

At times, the simplest experiences hold the most profound meaning. This was not just an act of charity; it was about empowerment. The focus was on providing opportunities, fostering dreams, and igniting passion through sports. If you’ve ever played sports, you would echo the joy that comes from participating and empowering others through athletic endeavours. Sports give you the ability to elevate, encourage, and empower individuals through mind, body, spirit, and willpower. Nothing compares to the joy of empowering others through sports and providing access to athletic activities.

Impact through sports

IYSA has supported over 50 village and small-town football academies across eight states, primarily in North India. This initiative, known as the Josh Rural Football Programme, has benefited more than 5000 children by providing them with kits, training equipment, and technical guidance.

In the last five years, including the 2023-24 season, IYSA supported 2,176 children across 29 village academies with over 1000 girls in eight states and distributed 900 footballs. Their efforts extend to regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Kashmir, where they offer long-term support to village teams and coaches.

Be Part of the Journey

Would you like to make a difference? Every pair of football boots represents a child’s dream. Here’s the link to help support young players across India.

Perhaps one day, we’ll meet for a friendly match in one of these villages. Until then, IYSA and the Josh Academy will continue their incredible journey of changing lives through football.