Sachin Tendulkar’s Foundation Sparks Change with Dantewada’s Maidan Cup
In the volatile Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, a bold sports initiative is transforming lives. The Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF), in partnership with the Mann Deshi Foundation and backed by the district administration, has launched the Maidan Cup Competition.
Fifty playgrounds are being carved from barren lands across 50 villages, giving over 10,000 underprivileged children — 40% of them girls — a platform to play and grow. The aim is not just to foster talent but also to offer a constructive outlet in a region long scarred by naxalism.
Where there was once silence, now echoes of laughter fill the air!🌱⚽️🏏
With the Maidan Cup initiative, 50 villages in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh are turning open spaces into vibrant playgrounds—safe havens where over 10,000 children can play, grow, and dream without limits.
This… pic.twitter.com/U0NCsGIaWX
— Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF) (@STF_India) May 27, 2025
District Collectors Mayank Chaturvedi and Kunal Dudawat have joined villagers to drive this grassroots effort. Organisers believe this initiative could help lower local crime rates by more than 20%, offering hope to communities caught in cycles of violence.
The Maidan Cup signals a deeper shift toward gender equality and a brighter future. As village maidans come alive with the laughter and energy of children, Dantewada is proving that change can start with a game of sport.
