“Play, Power, and Possibility”: My Journey as a Samavesh Fellow Using Sport for Social Change
By Anil Kale, Samavesh Fellow
My mother was one of the first members of a waste pickers’ collective in Pune. Growing up, I witnessed the struggles faced by children of waste pickers—bright, full of potential, yet often denied access to quality education and opportunities to grow. Many of them dropped out not because they lacked ability, but because the system never created space for them to thrive.
This early exposure shaped my belief that education must go beyond the classroom, and that play, sport, and art are not luxuries—they are essential tools for development.
While working in Malegaon, I saw this reality play out again. Adolescent girls, especially from marginalized communities, were denied space, voice, and even the simple right to play. In their lives, movement was monitored, expression was silenced, and play was considered a privilege they hadn’t earned.
At Samavesh, I found the framework to challenge this belief—and to build a new one rooted in freedom, confidence, and movement. At Samavesh, we believe play is a tool of power.
It fosters leadership, confidence, and collective imagination. And this belief shaped my work when I joined the Samavesh Fellows Program.
What I Do as a Fellow
As a Samavesh Fellow anchoring the Champions initiative in Malegaon, Baramati, I focus on using sports for development, play, and creative expression to strengthen life skills among adolescent girls. My work includes:
- Facilitating play-based sessions focused on teamwork, communication, and emotional resilience
- Focused group discussion on challenging gender norms and imporance of mental well being
- Running reflection circles after each session, helping girls articulate what they learned
- Integrating life skills themes like consent, decision-making, and self-awareness
- Mobilising local volunteers to sustain girl-led activities and clubs
What We’ve Achieved
Over the past year, through consistent sessions and community engagement:
- 60 girls participated in play-based workshops
- 10 girls took leadership roles in organising and leading peer games
- 85% of participants reported feeling “more confident to speak or lead” after 6 weeks of sessions (via feedback circles)
- Conducted 18+ sessions integrating themes of gender, communication, emotional expression, and teamwork
One girl told me,
“I used to think only boys could shout or lead. Now I’m the one giving instructions. I feel strong.”
This isn’t just about football or skipping ropes. It’s about building confidence muscles—one game, one girl at a time.
What I’ve Learned
I’ve learned that change begins with something as simple as a circle. When girls sit in a circle, play, laugh, fall, and rise together—they begin to see each other and themselves differently.
The hesitation fades. The voice rises. And the fear recedes.
Through Samavesh, I realized that play is political. In places where girls are expected to be invisible, we are teaching them to be loud, proud, and full of movement.
“This fellowship taught me that play is not a break from life—it is preparation for it.”
What’s Next
Going forward, I hope to:
- Develop a play-based curriculum for life skills that can be adapted in other semi-urban and rural areas
- Train local youth volunteers—especially young women—to facilitate sports and reflection sessions
- Host an annual Girls’ Sports and Leadership Day in Malegaon
- Document our methods and success stories in a short film or toolkit
- Advocate with local schools to integrate play and movement into life skills education
Why Samavesh Matters
Before Samavesh, I had the intent but not the ecosystem. I had ideas but lacked the tools to scale them. The Samavesh Fellowship gave me more than a platform—it gave me the power to transform my lived experience into collective leadership.
Today, I’m not just running games. I’m building futures where students run, speak, and lead—on their own terms.
“In Malegaon, I saw what happens when we don’t wait for permission to play. Through Samavesh, I now work to ensure every girl feels she belongs—on the playground and in the world.”
About The Author:
Anil Kale is a Samavesh Fellow working at the intersection of sports for development, gender, youth development, and inclusive education. Rooted in his lived experience, Anil brings a deep commitment to equity and empowerment through creative, community-led approaches. At Samavesh, he leads the Champions initiative in Malegaon, using play, sport, and life skills education to build confidence and leadership among adolescent girls from marginalized communities.
