Mercedes-Benz teams up with Laureus to fund sports programme in India

Mercedes-Benz India has joined hands with Laureus Sports in India to help underprivileged children overcome social challenges through sports. The new partnership will see Mercedes-Benz funding two Laureus-supported programmes in the country, Oscar and Yuwa.

The collaboration will see the two sports for development programmes located in Mumbai and Jharkhand benefit from support to reach more children and young girls.

Commenting on the partnership, Roland Folger, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “As a responsible corporate citizen, at Mercedes-Benz we have a philosophy of social contribution, and call it beyond business. Pursuing this philosophy, we have decided to associate with our global partner Laureus Sport for Good in India, and use the power of sport as a social development tool. Believing in the ideology of creating a better future for everyone, Mercedes-Benz firmly supports creation of such opportunities for children and adolescents who have the potential to make the world a better place. As we grow in this country, we are glad to partner with Laureus and support Oscar and Yuwa, helping them in making a positive change in the lives of children and young people.”

Sean Fitzpatrick, chairman of Laureus World Sports Academy, said: “This is a major boost for the work Laureus does in India and the partnership with Mercedes-Benz India will have a big effect on how many young people we are able to help. We are delighted to support two new promising programmes, which will have a deep impact on the girls in these communities and further prove how sport can change lives.” 

L-R: Ashok Rathod, founder and director, Oscar Foundation; Roland Folger, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Andy Griffiths, global director, Laureus.
 

Through the partnership, Laureus Sport for Good will offer its expertise in the sport for development sector, assisting Oscar and Yuwa with research, evaluation and support both organisations in their efforts to use sport as a tool to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage among Indian youth.

Also commenting on the occasion, Ashok Rathod, founder and director, Oscar Foundation, said, “Coming from a low-income background, I know the struggles one has to face to pursue education or the love of sports. Oscar Foundation aims to create awareness among such families about the importance of sports and education in today’s time. Further, there are many serious issues that young girls are faced with today, gender inequality, child marriage and the high risk of being sent to work at a very young age, at the expense of their education. We know that sport has the power for social change, working across eight slum communities in Mumbai. Mercedes and Laureus have provided us the best chance to further pursue our aim and we are proud to be associated with them and this partnership is going to tackle these issues and give 240 underprivileged girls the confidence and life skills needed to complete their education and become active roles models for their own community development.”

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