Manchester City, in partnership with global sponsor Etihad Airways, has unveiled an exciting new community football initiative aimed at empowering young people across India through sports and life skills training.
The collaborative project, a joint effort between Manchester City, Etihad, City in the Community (CITC), and Magic Bus India Foundation, will leverage the universal appeal of football to deliver health and life skills education to local youth in cities across India. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the ongoing commitment of Manchester City and Etihad Airways to positively impact communities around the world.
Impactful Community Collaboration
The initiative builds upon the longstanding partnership between Manchester City and Etihad Airways, which has seen impactful community collaborations including global and regional summits in Manchester and Abu Dhabi. These initiatives have focused on upskilling young leaders in community football coaching and leadership, harnessing the transformative power of sports to drive positive change.
Launching in Three Cities
The community football initiative has been launched in three key cities within Etihad’s network: New Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore. These cities represent the initial phase of the project, with plans to expand to additional locations in the upcoming seasons. The launch reflects Manchester City and Etihad’s commitment to creating lasting impact in diverse communities across India.
Partnering with Magic Bus India Foundation
Central to the success of this initiative is the partnership with Magic Bus India Foundation, a local NGO with a proven track record of empowering youth through sports-based programs. Magic Bus has collaborated with Manchester City since 2016 on various initiatives, including health and hygiene education programs in Kolkata, engaging thousands of young people through football.
Delivering World-Class Training
As part of the initiative, Etihad will facilitate the travel of Manchester City community coaches to India to deliver world-class football and leadership training to young leaders identified by Magic Bus India Foundation. These Young Leaders will play a pivotal role in championing the projects within their communities, using football as a tool to promote health and life skills among their peers.
Commitment to Long-Term Impact
Tom Pitchon, Director of City Football Group’s global foundation, expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “We are proud to work with Etihad Airways to uplift the health and life skills of young people across India through the power of football.” He emphasized the commitment of both organizations to creating real, sustainable impact for youth around the world.
Akhil Anumolu, Senior Vice President of eCommerce, Digital, Marketing, and Loyalty at Etihad Airways, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unique opportunity to support local communities in India. He emphasized Etihad’s commitment to expanding the program to more locations across India in the coming years, underscoring the enduring impact of football on youth development and community well-being.
Empowering Through Football
The Manchester City and Etihad Airways community football initiative exemplifies the transformative potential of sports as a vehicle for positive change. By empowering young people with essential life skills and promoting health education through football, the program aims to leave a lasting legacy of empowerment and opportunity in communities across India.
As the initiative takes flight, Manchester City and Etihad Airways are poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people, harnessing the universal language of football to inspire, educate, and uplift communities in India and beyond.