Mumbai, Jan 13: On National Youth Day, Pernod Ricard India Foundation (PRIF) marks three years of Raftaar, a structured athletic training program implemented in partnership with the Bridges of Sports Foundation for tribal youth under the age of 14 across three villages—Talegaon, Awankhed and Karanji—in Dindori Taluka, Nashik. So far, Raftaar has reached more than 1,600 tribal children through community sports events, 531 through regular training which includes 20 athletes who received structured training in sprinting. Girls constitute 50% of the program’s top performers, demonstrating visible shifts in participation and confidence. Programs such as Raftaar reflect PRIF’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in working for an equitable society using sports as a tool for inclusion, discipline, and opportunity.

As per reports, access to organised sports in India remains limited. Only 1% of Indian youth under the age of 35 participate in organised sports, while women’s participation stands at 29%, significantly below the global average of 40%. For tribal youth in regions such as Dindori, Nashik, these gaps are further compounded by schools lacking physical education teachers, sports equipment, and means to identify talent. Girls are often the first to be withdrawn from physical activity due to social expectations, restricting opportunities for holistic development and confidence.

Launched in 2022, Project Raftaar was launched based on assessment of the sports ecosystem in over 20 primary schools and through interaction with teachers, parents and children. The program identifies talent through fitness tests and supports them with regular coaching, sports gear, and nutrition. Athletes demonstrating higher potential receive advanced training and opportunities to participate in state-level competitions. Over the past three years, the program has conducted over 300 training sessions. The program has trained nine local coaches drawn from the community, strengthening local capacity and supporting long-term continuity. Athletes supported through Raftaar have won over 50 medals across district, state and national level competitions, compared to one medal in the year prior to the program.

Mr. Gagandeep Sethi, Senior Vice President, Integrated Operations, Sustainability & Responsibility, Pernod Ricard India, said, 

“Diversity and inclusion are central to PRIF’s work. Through Raftaar, we are supporting structured access to sports for tribal youth while strengthening local coaching capacity and encouraging greater participation among youth in tribal regions of Maharashtra.”

To strengthen local infrastructure, a community sports gym-cum-activity room is established at Gurukul School, Karanji, benefiting school and community children through regular access to training facilities.

In the long term, Raftaar aims to support more tribal youth in accessing national sports academies, sports-related careers, and opportunities in the armed forces, while continuing to strengthen community-led initiatives.