Jamshedpur,: Tata Steel Foundation has been honoured with the AFC Special Grassroots Award 2025 for Best Grassroots Project, recognising its sustained commitment to building inclusive and community-driven football ecosystems across eastern India.
The prestigious award, organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Kuala Lumpur, celebrate outstanding organisations and initiatives across Asia that use football as a catalyst for participation, development and social transformation. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the AFC, national football associations and grassroots development organisations from across the continent.
Captain Amitabh, Head Skill Development and Chandreyee Majumdar, Manager Sports received the award on behalf of Tata Steel Foundation, representing the thousands of children, coaches and community leaders who form part of its vibrant grassroots sports’ movement.
On the occasion, Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation, said: “This recognition belongs to the children, coaches and communities who believe in the power of sport to transform lives and encourages us to continue supporting youth in their sporting journey. Operating across six locations and engaging with more than 2,500 cadets, our journey at grassroots sports has been shaped by the belief that sport can empower communities. We are grateful to the Asian Football Confederation for acknowledging our efforts and for their continued commitment to development of sports across Asia”.
Tata Steel Foundation was recognised for its Sports for Schools and Community Football Programme, which currently reaches over 5,000 children across Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. The initiative integrates sports training, education, nutrition and life skills to create holistic pathways for young athletes, particularly from tribal and underserved communities. The programme was commended for its child-centric and inclusive approach to grassroots sport, its emphasis on equal opportunities for girls and women’s leadership in football, and its success in developing community-based ecosystems that nurture both talent and social cohesion. It also stood out for using sport as a means of empowerment and life skill development among rural youth.
Through close collaboration with local communities, schools and government partners, Tata Steel Foundation continues to make quality sports accessible to every child, fostering discipline, teamwork, and confidence at the grassroots level. This international recognition reinforces the Foundation’s vision of sports as a catalyst for social inclusion and nation-building, inspiring the next generation of young players to dream, participate, and thrive.