MUMBAI: Indian social entrepreneur Suhail Tandon has won the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport and Active Society Commission’s Grant Award for his contribution to sports for development.
Tandon is the founder of Pro Sport Development (PSD) and executive director of Martha Farrell Foundation, both based out of New Delhi. The IOC, which is committed to building a better world through sport, redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, to help athletes and sports organizations at all levels around the world. Worth USD 25,000 each, these grants are awarded to grassroots organizations running effective sport for all programs in different regions across the world. The award ceremony was held during the Olympism in Action forum at Buenos Aires.
“I am honoured and humbled to receive this recognition. Playing sports is an excellent way to teach the values of sport. Participants learn about fairplay, about respecting others and develop a sense of responsibility and discipline. Adolescent boys and girls who are exposed to active sports turn out to be better citizens and our endeavour is just that,” Tandon said.
“The development grant will help PSD expand its Community Sports Programme in Eastern India to benefit more young people living in slum settlements through the provision of sports equipment, upgrading sports infrastructure and training coaches.”
Tandon is committed towards using sport as a tool for the holistic development of youth rather than just for their sporting development. By supporting learning through sport, his vision is to develop engaged young leaders who are committed to change. Currently in India, sport and physical activity are seen as a luxury rather than a necessity.
Pro Sport Development also collaborates with Martha Farrell Foundation in its Kadam Badhate Chalo program. In it, sport is an important medium through which young boys and girls are empowered to reflect on and speak out against gender inequality and violence against women.
