Mumbai: As Mumbai Indians got a convincing win vs Delhi Capitals in front of 18,000  children from various NGOs across Mumbai, Mrs Nita M Ambani, owner of the Mumbai Indians and  Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai Indians’ icon spoke about what makes the ESA day so special and unique for  everyone in the Mumbai Indians ecosystem.

Mrs Ambani spent time with the children in the stands during the game and interacted with them about  their experience. Speaking about the Education and Sports for All initiative’s significance, Mrs Ambani  said, “The children are bringing so much positivity and joy to the stadium. 18000 children are in the  stands today from different NGOs. I believe that sport does not discriminate and talent can come from  anywhere. Maybe one of these kids will reach the pinnacle of sport and I hope they take back a lot of  cherished memories from this experience and the power and courage to believe in their dreams.”

Tendulkar spoke about his first memories of visiting the stadium for the first time and how he still  remembers it vividly. He also credited Mrs Ambani’s vision of providing children with lifechanging  experiences, saying, “This is what the players long for: positivity. That is what I have experienced year  after year and it has gotten better and better. For me, children are the future. If we want a better  tomorrow, we need to act today. The Reliance Foundation, under Mrs Ambani’s guidance has given  opportunities to so many children across the globe. I hope she continues to do that in the field of  education as well as sport.”

 

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Mrs Ambani also delved into the various lessons that the children can take from the field of play which  can aid them in their growth and development. “We started ESA 14 years ago and it has reached out to  22 million children across India. As Sachin says, I believe every child should have a right to play and a  right to education. Children learn as much on the playground as they learn in the classrooms. Sports  teaches them so many things like discipline and hard work and more than anything how to take wins and  losses in their stride. ESA opens the doors to millions of opportunities for these young children from the  remotest villages and towns of India,” Mrs Ambani said.

Mrs Ambani also said the game was one that everybody looked forward to the most with the players  really cherishing the opportunity to play in front of passionate kids. “It’s the favourite game of the  players, the staff and the coaches. We look forward to this day with a lot of enthusiasm,” she concluded.

The amalgamation of Education and Sports, ESA (Education and Sports for All), that MI proudly wears on  the sleeves of all their teams, seeks to make educational opportunities and sports experiences accessible  to children from all backgrounds that inspires them in their dreams. Since its inception in 2010, ESA has  remained at the core of Mumbai Indians’ commitment to entertaining and inspiring young minds,  providing life-changing opportunities to thousands of children.

Guided by its overarching ‘We Care’ philosophy, through the year, Reliance Foundation, through ESA  carries out various activities in the education and sports arena. Reliance Foundation’s sports chapter has  impacted the lives of over 22M children across India.