Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ The atmosphere at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium turned extra special on May 24 as more than 20,000 children from underprivileged families, tribal communities, and rural regions gathered to watch the IPL clash between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. The initiative, organized under the Education and Sports for All (ESA) programme by the Reliance Foundation, once again highlighted the power of sport in bringing joy and opportunity to young lives. Among the children invited this year were more than 200 specially-abled children, including 100 visually impaired kids from the National Association for the Blind. Each visually impaired child attended the match with a hearing companion to help them enjoy the full stadium experience. For many of these children, visiting Wankhede Stadium and watching a live IPL match was a dream come true.
Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, addressed the Mumbai Indians squad before the match and spoke about the deeper purpose behind the ESA initiative. The programme, she said, seeks to give children from underprivileged backgrounds access to education and sports, and help them develop confidence, discipline and teamwork through positive experiences. The initiative has become one of the most emotional and meaningful traditions associated with the IPL franchise. Over the past 16 years, ESA has reached out to more than 29 million children across 28 states in India. Each season, thousands of children are invited to watch a live match, turning the stadium into a celebration of hope, excitement and inclusion.
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Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also praised the initiative and described ESA Day as deeply emotional. He shared how the event combines two things closest to his heart, cricket and children, at the same ground where his own journey with the sport began. According to Sachin, the support shown by the people of Mumbai every year makes the initiative even more meaningful. Additionally, Mumbai Indians star Rohit Sharma called ESA Match Day one of the most memorable occasions of the IPL season. He said the happiness on the children’s faces creates an unforgettable atmosphere and reminds players of the larger impact sport can have beyond the field.
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Behind the scenes, massive efforts were made to organize the event smoothly. More than 500 BEST and private buses transported children from different parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra to the stadium. Some 2,000 volunteers along with police officers, medical teams and traffic personnel worked throughout the day to ensure that the children felt safe and comfortable. Over 100,000 food boxes were also prepared and distributed during the event. The ESA programme continues to reflect Mumbai Indians’ commitment to using cricket as a force for positive social change. The initiative combines fun and purpose to inspire children and a more inclusive future through the power of education and sport.
