BBM FC Clinch Disha Street Football Tournament Title
PCMC Police and Sandesh Borde Sports Foundation bring children from underprivileged communities onto the football field
PIMPRI-CHINCHWAD: BBM FC emerged champions of a street football tournament organised under the ‘Disha’ initiative of the Special Juvenile Police Unit of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, in association with the Sandesh Borde Sports Foundation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Police. The tournament was held at Dr Hedgewar Sports Complex in Pimpri, providing children from slum areas and underprivileged communities an opportunity to showcase their sporting talent.
In a closely contested final, BBM FC secured a 1-0 victory to lift the championship trophy, while Rising Star Pimpri finished as runners-up. Universal United Nigdi received the Fair Play Award, and Mighty Storms was adjudged the Best Team.
The tournament aimed to bring together children from slum settlements and disadvantaged neighbourhoods across Pimpri-Chinchwad, provide them with access to organised sports and encourage them to channel their energy towards positive activities. The initiative also seeks to identify sporting talent among children who may otherwise lack access to proper facilities, coaching and competitive platforms.
Sports as a tool for social transformation
The Disha initiative, implemented through the Special Juvenile Police Unit, has been working with the Sandesh Borde Sports Foundation to engage children from areas falling under various police stations in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Over the past several years, the initiative has focused on counselling children and providing them with training in different sports under the guidance of qualified coaches.
Through sporting activities, the programme seeks to instil discipline, self-confidence, teamwork and a sense of social responsibility among children. It also aims to help them develop constructive habits and explore opportunities for a better future through sports.
Police Commissioner inaugurates tournament
Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey (IPS) inaugurated the tournament. During the event, Paul Falerio, who was selected for an international competition, was felicitated for his achievement.
Addressing the young participants, Commissioner Choubey encouraged them to exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet, develop healthy habits and remain committed to their chosen sport.
He urged more children to participate in such competitions and use sports as a means of shaping their lives in a positive direction. He also expressed confidence that initiatives of this kind could help nurture talented athletes capable of representing Maharashtra and India at higher levels of competition.
Foundation highlights success stories
Sandesh Borde shared success stories of individuals who had benefited from the sports foundation’s initiatives. He also highlighted the milestone of the Nagpur-based Krida Vikas Sanstha, whose slum football tournament completed 25 years this year.
Borde emphasised that children from underprivileged backgrounds could achieve remarkable success in sports if they received the right guidance, systematic training and adequate opportunities. Such initiatives, he noted, can help bridge the gap between sporting talent and access to professional development.
Senior police officers and 245 children participate
The event was attended by senior officers from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, including Additional Commissioner of Police Basavraj Teli, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rohidas Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 1, Sandeep Atol e, Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Sudarshan Rathod, and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sangvi Division, Manisha Kadam.
Personnel from the Special Juvenile Police Unit also participated in the programme. Representatives from 24 police stations, including 24 officers and 29 police personnel associated with the Disha initiative, were present. A total of 245 children took part in the event.
Sports coaches Nazir Sayyed, Sumit Jaghadhane, Swapnil Gaikwad, Jabir Pasha, Shamshad Siddiqui, Poonam Devkate, Alka Rakhate and Dimple Chaudhary, along with other dignitaries, attended the tournament.
Sandesh Borde welcomed the participants and guests, while counsellor Gaurav Chaudhary conducted the programme.
The tournament reinforced the message that sports can become a powerful instrument of social change by creating opportunities, building confidence and helping children develop essential life skills. Through the Disha initiative and the Sandesh Borde Sports Foundation, the organisers aim to continue providing children from disadvantaged communities with a platform to pursue their sporting ambitions and build a brighter future.
