With "an aim to create a platform for talent-scouting" at the grassroots level across India, Football Sports Development Ltd. Founder & Chair Nita Ambani launched Indian Super League #grassroots football movement at the Dhirubhai Ambani Int'l School in Mumbai, according to the PTI. The ISL #grassroots program "aims to reach out to a million young footballers in the first few years and expose them to the best practices in global football." Ambani said, "Education and sports play an important role in the development of a child and in nation-building. Sports is important to build character and channelize abundant energy of our children in a positive direction." This long-term initiative "will be a joint effort of ISL, the eight ISL Clubs, Reliance Foundation and three NGOs -- Magic Bus in Mumbai, Delhi, Raigad and Bangalore; Slum Soccer in Nagpur, Thane and Navi Mumbai; and Yuwa in Jharkhand." In the first phase, the #grassroots programs "will aim to reach out to 500,000 children through in-school and maidan initiatives, starting early 2015." Bollywood actor Salman Khan, founder of Being Human -- the Salman Khan Foundation, "also endorsed Ambani’s vision." Salman: "Football #grassroots program is an important step for the development of the beautiful game" (PTI, 12/7).
