The story of Slum Soccer began with a moment of unexpected beauty. One rainy afternoon, as Vijay Barse, a sports lecturer, sought shelter under a tree on his way home, his eyes were drawn to a group of children nearby. Despite having nothing but a broken bucket to kick around, they were completely absorbed in the joy of their game-beautifully unaware of the rain falling from above. Their laughter, their energy—it was a powerful display of how sport could spark happiness, even in the most difficult circumstances. In that instant, Vijay’s heart swelled with a profound realization: football had the power to change lives, to bring purpose, unity and  hope to those who needed it most. Moved by this moment, he made a decision that would forever change his path. That very day, the seeds of Slum Soccer were planted.

India, the second most populous nation in the world, has a population of well over a billion people. 170 million of these people live on the streets with no place to call home and account for 17% of the world’s entire slum dwelling population. 260 million people in India, earn less than $1 a day. A sizeable portion of these 170 million people are women and children; and they are denied even the most basic rights of survival and protection.

Slum Soccer is aiming to fill the void and to tackle these problems head on. We sat down with Slum Soccer CEO Abhijeet Barse to discuss how they are doing this using the beautiful game in India.

Bonito: Hi Abhijeet, such an honor to learn more about Slum Soccer today with you.

Abhijeet Barse : Great to take part!

Bonito: Tell us about how your passion for football began and how you were captivated to explore the ways the game could bring about positive changes for society?

Abhijeet: For me it was some years after Vijay founded the organization, I became a part of this journey and witnessed the profound changes football can bring firsthand. I met a parent of one of our participants, who told me how their child’s life had completely transformed after joining our program. From being involved in negative influences and wayward activities, their child became more responsible, focused, and hopeful about the future. This personal encounter affirmed my belief in the power of football as a tool for social change. It’s not just a game; it’s a force that unites and uplifts, turning even the smallest moments into life-changing opportunities.

Bonito: Why do you think football evokes such powerful sentiments with such a broad range of people all over the world?

Abhijeet: I think what makes football so powerful is the spirit of the game—it’s about teamwork, striving toward a common goal, and, most importantly, the sense of equality it creates. When you step onto the field, it doesn’t matter where you come from, what language you speak, or your background; everyone is united by the same rules and opportunities to contribute to the team. For many of the youth we work with, football is their one opportunity to truly feel part of something bigger, to wear a team’s colors with pride, and to be seen as an athlete.

This experience invokes a deep, often dormant, sense of self-worth and identity in them. It’s not just a game—it’s a platform for them to reimagine who they can become, both on and off the field. For young people who may feel marginalized, football breaks down barriers in a way that traditional outreach methods often can’t. It reaches places and hearts that might otherwise be inaccessible, providing a pathway for personal growth, confidence, and hope for the future. The sport’s universality and simplicity make it a tool for connection, making it accessible to communities that may be out of reach for more conventional interventions.

Bonito: We would love to hear about some of the projects that Slum Soccer currently operates!

Abhijeet: We have a lot! Some of my current favorites in no particular order are:

  • Shakti Girls: Empowers young girls through football, focusing on menstrual health, sexual reproductive health, and gender equality.
  • Playmaker Fellowship: Develops youth leadership through sport-based interventions in underserved communities.
  • Deaf Goal Fellowship: Aims to uplift the deaf community through football, promoting inclusion and life skills.
  • DeafKidz Goal: Supports deaf children with opportunities to engage in sport and build confidence through football.
  • Community Impact Program: Uses sport to address social issues like mental health, climate change, and gender equality at the grassroots level.
  • National Inclusion Cup: A national football tournament providing marginalized youth a platform to showcase their talent.
  • Schools Program: Promotes physical literacy and leadership through football in low-income schools, integrating education and sport.

Bonito: So many great initiatives, we will set up links above so readers can go in and learn more about each project.

Bonito: Where do you see the football/sport for social good field heading in the next years? Which thematic areas will be most important to deal with and what are the big challenges awaiting sport for good practitioners?

Abhijeet: Sports for social good has been gaining significant mainstream attention in recent years, and I believe this trend will only continue to grow. As more organizations recognize the transformative power of sport, we’ll likely see an increase in initiatives that use sports not just for physical development but for broader societal impact. From empowering marginalized communities to addressing issues like gender equality, education, and mental health, sport will play a crucial role in driving positive change.

In the coming years, key thematic areas that will need attention include inclusion and accessibility. Ensuring that people from all backgrounds—regardless of gender, disability, or socio-economic status—can access sports programs will be vital. Additionally, mental health is emerging as a critical focus, with sports proving to be an effective tool for promoting well-being and building resilience.

However, significant challenges remain for practitioners in this space. Sustainable funding will continue to be a hurdle, as many sports for good programs rely on grants and donations. Another challenge will be scaling successful programs while maintaining their local relevance and impact. Lastly, practitioners must navigate the delicate balance of leveraging sport’s competitive nature while ensuring the primary focus remains on social outcomes, not just athletic success.

Bonito: I think that the point about scaling while maintaining local relevance and authenticity is an extremely interesting area of exploration of practitioners for sure.

Bonito: Can you tell us about a moment in your football  for social good journey that really touched your heart profoundly and stays with you?

Abhijeet: I was visiting one of our slum programs, and after spending some time walking around the community, I found myself lost and hungry. Unsure of what to do next, I decided to sit down for a moment. Almost instantly, I was approached by a local family who, recognizing the Slum Soccer kit I was wearing, kindly offered me refreshments and directions to the field. What struck me the most was when they shared that their son had been attending our sessions. They told me how, through football and the guidance of our coaches, he had overcome his addictions and was now on a positive path. Hearing this firsthand reminded me of the deep, personal impact our programs have on people’s lives. It wasn’t just about the sport—it was about real transformation, hope, and the power of community. That moment profoundly touched me and reaffirmed why we do what we do.

Bonito: Is there one colleague at your organization or who you have collaborated with who maybe doesn’t always get the spotlight that you would like to shine today and why?

Abhijeet: I would like to shine a light on Coach Anas Akhtar, who began his journey with us as a grassroots coach. Since joining, Anas has shown incredible dedication, not only upgrading his coaching license but also stepping into a leadership role where he actively supports and mentors other coaches. His passion for empowering young players and fellow coaches has been inspiring, and his efforts have made a significant impact on both our team and the broader community. Anas’s commitment goes beyond the pitch, embodying the true spirit of development and leadership in sport.

Our vision for the next few years: We are looking at having an even deeper presence in the communities that we work with, involving not just the children and youth but also the parents. We want to have a lifelong engagement with sports for them. We are also looking at improvement on the excellence side of football where we are talking with club and youth academies for our children to be given a chance for selection trials.

Bonito: Abhijeet, its been such a pleasure talking to you and we look forward to keep promoting the beauty of football together in the future.

Abhijeet: Thanks so much and so happy to have Bonito in this arena!

BIO

Name: Abhijeet Barse

Organization: Slum Soccer

Role: CEO

Favorite Football  for good organization apart from your own: Homeless World Cup and Common Goal

Favorite Football Club: Seemapuri FC