Building Knowledge and Raising Awareness

We focused on empowering young athletes, especially girls, through awareness of rights and safe participation in sports. Our training camps and events emphasized structured skill development across all levels, guided by experienced coaches. Increased involvement from underserved communities highlights sport's growing role in building confidence, connection, and opportunity at the grassroots.

Athletes from the Badminton Excellence Program have demonstrated outstanding performances in 2025, reflecting their commitment and skill on both national and international stages. Tasnim Mir represented at the National Games in Uttarakhand and the German Open. Tanya Hemanth competed in the Indonesia Masters, Thailand Masters, German Open, and Orleans Masters. Siddhanth Gupta participated in the Iran, Uganda, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam International Challenges. Alap Mishra showcased his talent at the National Games Open Badminton Championship, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam International Challenges. Varun Kapur was impressed with his participation in the Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam International Challenges. 

The athletes in the Female Athlete Leadership Program had an enriching experience, with a series of valuable activities and sessions. They were given the opportunity to visit Decathlon, Bengaluru, and the Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, where they gained insights into sports retail business operations and facility management.

Additionally, the athletes participated in a mentorship session led by Sanjana Govindan, Vice President at Goldman Sachs Group, which proved to be both inspiring and informative. We also conducted an online revision session, covering key topics such as female health, leadership skills, financial literacy, and career opportunities in sports. We look forward to continuing the program and completing the remaining sessions after their academic examinations.

This quarter, we also launched a six-part Yoga series focused on helping athletes find relief through the different phases and symptoms of the menstrual cycle. This series was possible due to the support of Rainmatter. The series, through simple exercises and techniques, guides athletes through the right exercises and postures that can help them overcome symptoms like abdominal pain, cramps and mood swings.

We're thrilled to announce that our groundbreaking period tracker program is set to debut at the Bihar State Sports Authority with a pioneering cohort of 200 athletes. With our cutting-edge technology fully integrated into the government platform, we're on track to begin onboarding next quarter. This milestone marks the first state-level initiative aimed at revolutionizing period health and athletic performance—paving the way for a healthier, more empowered future.

One of the key discussions this quarter was the IndusInd Bank panel discussion on balancing personal relationships and professional athletics, featuring insightful contributions from the head of our Mental Health Initiative and moderated by the Lead of Women’s Initiatives at Simply Sport Foundation. This session explored the pressures of maintaining relationships while competing at high levels and how athletes can manage their mental well-being while navigating these challenges.

A major milestone for Simply Sport Foundation this quarter was the official appointment of the head of our Mental Health in Sport Initiative as the Child Safeguarding Officer for the foundation. In this capacity, she led our first-ever Child Safeguarding session, conducted specifically for sports scientists. This session focused on building awareness around child safety, ensuring young athletes’ rights are protected, and educating key stakeholders on their responsibility in creating a secure and ethical sporting environment. Recognizing the increasing need for safeguarding measures in sports, this initiative marks a significant step towards building a culture where young athletes feel safe, supported, and empowered.

Aditi Mutatkar was invited by the Dani Foundation to conduct a two-day workshop on ‘Designing Sports for Women’ for Sports for Development Fellows in Kapadganj. The workshop addressed menstruation and puberty’s impact on sports and explored gamification techniques to make physical literacy more inclusive. Simply Sport was also invited to the Bihar Sports Conclave by Sportstar to sign an MOU with BSSA for a period-tracking program, and Aditi participated in a Women in Sports panel alongside Mihira Khopkar and Paralympian Deepa Malik.  

Simply Sport played a key role in Roots - Volleyball High-Performance Camp,  held in December 2024 and January 2025 at Sports Kartail. Led by professional coaches Nikos and Kavya, the camp trained Under-18, Intermediate, and Beginner athletes in advanced techniques, strategy, and mental conditioning. Meanwhile, Udaan 2025, a flagship life-skills tournament, took place on January 11-12 at Jamia Sports Complex, Okhla, engaging over 200 children from underprivileged backgrounds in competitive play.  
 

To mark World NGO Day, Simply Sport and Lawbees conducted an online session titled “Empowering Grassroots Movements for a Sustainable Future," covering topics like safeguarding policies, athlete protection, sports governance, and sponsorship laws. On Women’s Day, the foundation partnered with District Taekwondo to organize a self-defence workshop, reinforcing its commitment to women’s safety and empowerment in sports. 

However, her journey was not without struggles. Coming from a tribal community, she faced the harsh reality of limited resources and societal norms that discouraged girls from pursuing sports. Balancing football with education was another battle, especially with frequent travels for tournaments. But with the unwavering support of Mrida, the Simply Sport Foundation, and her family, she found the strength to push forward. Scholarships, better training facilities, and sports psychology sessions helped her grow both on and off the field.

Her proudest moment came when she received a call-up for the U17 Girls India Camp. With her eyes set on representing India, Somni continues to chase her dreams, determined to inspire others and uplift her community through sports.

Simranjit Singh is a dedicated Sports Psychologist with over three years of experience, holding dual master’s degrees in Counselling and Sport & Exercise Psychology. He began his journey in 2021 and served as a junior psychologist at Balewadi Stadium, working with 300+ athletes across 13 sports. Now practicing independently, he supports athletes and academies across Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the UK, enhancing performance both on and off the field.

Jalan WV, an MBA graduate specializing in Human Resources, is currently serving as an HR intern at Simply Sport Foundation. With a strong foundation in HR management and organizational behaviour, he is passionate about fostering positive workplace culture and enhancing employee engagement. Jalan is gaining hands-on experience in recruitment, employee relations, and HR analytics, and is committed to continuous learning while contributing meaningfully to strategic HR initiatives and organizational growth.

Harshita Chanchal, a dedicated scholar from Bihar, is pursuing her Master’s in Health, Gender, and Society at IIT Hyderabad. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work (Hons) from TISS and currently works as a Research and Data Management Intern, showcasing her commitment to impactful, evidence-based social change.

Prabhanjana V Ramagiri is a passionate advocate for sports development in Bangalore. With a keen interest in urban growth through athletic engagement, he is currently working on a data-driven project aimed at showcasing the economic potential of sports in the city. His project, set to be presented at IIM Bangalore, focuses on how sports can be a catalyst for economic and social transformation, reinforcing Bangalore’s position as a dynamic, youth-driven metropolis.

Cheryl Sonika Xavier is a Sport & Exercise Psychologist, Fitness Trainer, and Athlete dedicated to breaking barriers in sports and promoting holistic well-being. As a Period Facilitator with Simply Sport, she is committed to creating awareness, normalizing conversations around menstrual health, and empowering athletes to perform at their best, free from stigma and misinformation. Through education and advocacy, she strives to make sports more inclusive and supportive for all.
 

Harshini Yadav MR, a Bengaluru-based physiotherapist and Pilates instructor, is dedicated to empowering young athletes with a deeper understanding of their bodies to enhance confidence and performance. Through her role at Simply Sport Foundation, she actively works to break period stigma, promote menstrual health awareness, and create a more inclusive and supportive sports environment for all.
 

Kirti Agarwal, a dedicated Sports Scientist from Pune, Maharashtra. As part of the Simply Periods Initiative, she aims to create a safe and informed space for athletes, empowering them to understand their bodies, speak up about health concerns, and access the right support. With a strong commitment to research, Kirti strives to contribute to the scientific advancement of sports and athlete well-being.

Ritika Parate, a Women’s Health Physiotherapist and sports enthusiast from Mumbai, is dedicated to empowering young athletes by addressing the often-overlooked aspects of menstrual health. Through open conversations and self-care advocacy, she aims to break the stigma surrounding menstruation in sports, helping athletes optimize their performance and overall well-being.

Roseline, based in Anantapur, is a dedicated Child & Youth Development Coordinator and a Period Facilitator with Simply Sport Foundation. Passionate about fostering safe and inclusive spaces for young athletes, she focuses on educating and empowering them with essential knowledge about menstrual health. Through open conversations and awareness, she strives to break taboos and build confidence in young individuals, both on and off the field.