Mumbai Indians’ annual ESA game at the Wankhede Stadium today turned into a sea of blue as more than 20,000 children filled the stands with unmatched energy, chants, and excitement for their heroes. The event brought together children from across Maharashtra, including visually impaired and specially-abled children, as part of the annual Education and Sports for All (ESA) initiative hosted by Mumbai Indians in partnership with Reliance Foundation and envisioned by Mrs. Nita M. Ambani.
Speaking about the atmosphere at the stadium, Mrs. Nita M. Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, highlighted the significance of the initiative and its role in promoting inclusion.
“First, I must say, look at the joy. The excitement here is so wonderful to experience. It is a very cherished day for all of us at Mumbai Indians. We started ESA by Reliance Foundation 16 years ago and inclusion has always been a part of our ethos.”
For the first time, the ESA game welcomed 100 visually impaired children along with hearing buddies. Mrs. Ambani explained how their participation came about following conversations with children from the National Association for the Blind.
“I was visiting the National Association for the Blind. I have been working with those children for the last twenty years. This was just before the IPL season, and the children told me, ‘Nita Ma’am, can we please come for the MI match? We have never been to a stadium before and want to feel the excitement of a live match.’ So here they are today. Hundred of them. I hope they go back with cherished memories.”
Mrs. Ambani, who also serves as an IOC member, spoke about Reliance Foundation’s wider sporting ambitions and its efforts to develop talent across India.
“We have reached over 29 million children across 28 states of India through our sport and education initiatives. We work with children from the age of five all the way to the global stage. We provide coaching, sports science, and practice facilities. We have high performance centres not just in cricket, but across athletics, football, and many other sports.”
She also reiterated a broader national sporting aspiration.
“Our goal for India is a shared dream that all of us have, is to one day bring the Olympic Games to our country. It is the dream of a billion Indians.”
This year’s ESA game welcomed children from more than 40 NGO partners across Mumbai, Maharashtra and remote regions including Satara, Nashik, Valsad and Igatpuri. More than 200 specially-abled children and 100 visually impaired children attended the event.
Large-scale logistics supported the initiative, including over 550 BEST buses transporting children across the city and state, more than 2,400 volunteers from NGOs, Reliance and Dhirubhai Ambani International School, over 100 medical personnel, 92,000 food boxes, and extensive on-ground coordination. Mumbai Police also deployed 550 traffic officers and more than 450 police personnel to manage operations throughout the day.
Over the last 16 years, Reliance Foundation’s sport and education programmes have impacted more than 29 million children and young people across India, using education and sport to drive inclusion, aspiration and opportunity. The continuing scale of ESA reflects the collective participation and community focus embedded within Mumbai Indians’ “#OneFamily” philosophy, ensuring every child feels included and valued.
About ESA
Education and Sports for All (ESA) is an initiative led by Reliance Foundation and Mumbai Indians aimed at creating opportunities for children through sport and education while promoting inclusion, participation and access. More information is available through Mumbai Indians’ ESA programme.
