SKF India Sports Education Program’s Children Gear Up For Gothia Cup 2016

• SKF announces the boys’ and girls’ team participating in the tournament in Sweden

• Invests in a holistic development centre in line with its vision to create a meaningful difference

SKF Sports Education Program continues to encourage children from the adjoining communities and stays committed to promoting young talent and providing sporting skills and holistic growth opportunities. SKF India today announced the boys’ and girls’ team from the program who will participate in Gothia Cup 2016. The tournament is the world’s largest youth football tournament scheduled in Gothenburg, Sweden from July 17 to July 23. The children will represent SKF India at the tournament in the under 12 category.

Sports Education Program is the company’s holistic development program for the children belonging to economically weaker section from the adjoining communities and is supported by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in Pune by way of approving participation of the children in the program. The academy is equipped with modern amenities to train the young footballers through audio-visuals, cafeteria to provide healthy and nutritious foods recommended by sports nutritionist, grooming classes to develop spoken English and key life skills. The company aims to create a positive change in the adjoining communities of SKF India and contribute to their holistic development.

Shishir Joshipura, Managing Director and Country Manager, SKF India, said, “We believe that every child has the right to holistic development and this program is our endeavour in contributing towards that belief and the child’s right. I am sure the new dedicated infrastructure for these youngsters will enable them to focus on skills beyond sports, and give them an opportunity to grow as an individual.”

Commenting on this occasion, Shrikant Savangikar – Director of Business Excellence, Quality and Sustainability said, “We are relentless in our quest for excellence and care and we continue to enhance the program every year. This new facility provides a holistic development opportunity for the children. I am happy to share that the facility is serving its purpose by enabling children to spend quality time beyond sports, in developing themselves through studies, classes and other activities.”

SKF India announced two teams to represent the company at the Gothia Cup 2016 schedule at Gothenburg, Sweden consecutively for the 7th year. The team comprises 24 boys and girls aged 11-13 years, trained under the Sports education program based out of Pune and Ahmadabad. The team is selected on the basis of merit, through the qualifying football tournament -“Meet the World” held in Pune. The Pune program is implemented with the help of Pune Football Club and the Ahmedabad program is implemented through Kahani Sports Academy.

Besides giving professional training at the SKF Sports Academy, SKF India is also committed and involved into several other developmental initiatives like women education and youth empowerment through skill development. The children of the SKF Sports Academy are provided with career guidance, counselling, aptitude test, personality development and study techniques which helps them in excelling in various fields. Additionally parenting and counselling workshops are also held for parents of these children.