Supreme Committe for Delivery & Legacy
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC)'s Generation Amazing programme has inaugurated two new football pitches in India, marking further milestones for the Qatar 2022 human and social legacy programme.
The new pitches – which are the 29th and 30th Generation Amazing has launched worldwide – are located in Colaba Causeway, Mumbai, and the Dr. Ambedkar School in Kamptee, Nagpur. They will offer a safe space in which Generation Amazing's football for development programmes can operate locally for young girls and boys
At the pitch launch ceremonies, held at the Sabina Chandrashekar Memorial Municipal Garden and Playground in Mumbai, and the Khatija Bai School in Nagpur, officials gathered alongside Generation Amazing programme participants and members of the local communities.H.E. Saif Bin Ali Al Mohannadi, the Qatari General Counsel in Mumbai, attended the Mumbai pitch opening and praised the programme's efforts in India as well as its achievement of positively impacting 500,000 people across Asia and the Middle East.
Al Mohannadi said: "It has been fantastic to witness the pitch from the start of construction all the way to completion here in Mumbai. I am proud and excited to see first-hand the invaluable work that Generation Amazing is doing to leave a lasting legacy for Qatar 2022 across the entire continent of Asia. Since Xavi Hernandez came here in March to inaugurate pitch construction, I have been following the local community and the many young people that the programme is reaching through football for development to give them better opportunities for their future."
On hand to inaugurate the pitches was Generation Amazing's Communications and Marketing Director, Moza Al Mohannadi, who spoke about the programme's long-term plans to provide youth with hubs to learn and develop through football.
"We are proud that this pitch is a real tangible legacy of Qatar 2022 right here in India, and we are looking forward to helping to change and improve the lives of many more young people until 2022, and beyond," said Moza Al Mohannadi. She went on to reflect on Generation Amazing's successful partnership with OSCAR Foundation and street football world in developing the pitch in Mumbai, before sharing some heartfelt words and messages of encouragement with young participants.
"You, the youth, are the most important part of our Generation Amazing programme, and we believe and trust that this new pitch, and the programmes delivered on it, will be a vital part of you becoming leaders and game-changers for your community."
Umesh Rathod spoke about his Generation Amazing experience, which included a special visit from Spanish football legend Xavi Hernandez, during the Mumbai pitch launch.
Rathod said: "Xavi was very kind to me. In our community, we don't have enough space to play football, so we find it difficult to play. We are thankful to Generation Amazing that they have given us this pitch. I cannot wait to go and play football on it."For the pitch opening in Nagpur, Generation Amazing partnered with local football for the development programme Slum Soccer. The ceremony was attended by 300 school students as well as the founder of Slum Soccer, Dr. Vijay Barse.
Generation Amazing youth ambassador Shubham Patil highlighted the importance of the pitch during the ceremony.
He said: "This pitch will play an important part in young people's lives here, just as football has for mine."
Later this month, Generation Amazing will launch its first festival at Qatar Foundation Oxygen Park. The event will run from 15-19 December and will be attended by a number of Generation Amazing's India-based youth ambassadors.