The Isaac Family Foundation (TIFF) Partners With The Sports And Society Accelerator (SSA) To Support Universal Access To Sports

 

·         The Isaac Family Foundation (TIFF) contributes INR 3.5 crores to The Sports and Society Accelerator (SSA) from 2023 to 2026

·         The collaboration aims to ensure that by 2047, every child and adult in India has the opportunity to lead an active and healthy life through sports and physical activity

The Isaac Family Foundation, a philanthropic organisation created by the Founder & Chairman of Quess Corp, Mr. Ajit Isaac, announced its partnership with the Sports and Society Accelerator (SSA) at an event jointly hosted by both organisations at the Bangalore International Center (BIC). With a commitment to fostering universal access to sports and physical activity by 2047, this partnership is backed by a contribution of INR 3.5 crores by Mr. Ajit Isaac, which will be disbursed over a period of three years. This aims to expand SSA's research, policy, and program initiatives to ensure every Indian, both young and old, leads an active and healthy life.

The event's main focus was on highlighting the importance of physical activity and fitness. The panel discussion was titled, ‘Why Physical Activity Matters’, and it featured icons and stalwarts like Swetha Subbiah (Co-Founder, Sisters in Sweat), Saumil Majmudar (Co-founder & Group CEO, SportzVillage), Anisha Padukone (CEO, The Live Love Laugh Foundation), and Dilip Kumar (Marathoner and Investments, Rainmatter Foundation).

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr Ajit Isaac said, “A measure of society's success lies in its ability to uplift those at the periphery and integrate them into the mainstream. This perspective has been the driving force behind the Foundation’s efforts to identify and support those who face disadvantages. Sports fosters discipline, teamwork, and resilience in children, moulding them into well-rounded individuals ready to face life's challenges. For adults, it is the key to longevity, vitality, and mental well-being.  Investing in sports initiatives inspires a culture of fitness, inclusivity, and aspiration. Through this commitment, we can build healthier bodies and stronger communities, where physical vitality is cherished as a cornerstone of a fulfilling life."

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Desh Gaurav Sekhri, Co-founder SSA, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Ajit Issac to SSA’s Founder’s Circle of grantors. We are proud to have him as an anchor donor, and through his contribution, we aim to deliver the social and economic value of sport and physical activity to every Indian. Sports and physical activity should be treated as a preventive health measure that has the power to create a social impact and should be considered a national priority. Through such donations, we have catalyzed positive change, breaking down barriers to access and enhancing the quality of life for countless individuals.”

The event was organized as a part of the Mission 100 initiative by SSA. Mission 100 aims to achieve universal physical activity in India by 2047, the centenary of India’s independence. It seeks to create a paradigm shift where physical activity becomes a form of self-care, fostering good health and effective leadership. The primary beneficiary of the INR 3.5 Cr would be the general public involved, specifically those interested in physical activity. SSA also works with State and Central Governments to define sports-related policies. Through its initiatives such as the Active India Innovation Lab, SSA also provides policy and capacity support to NGOs. SSA’s Founder’s Circle of Grantors also includes industry stalwarts like Mr. Ashish Dhawan, CEO of The Convergence Foundation. The first edition of the ‘State of Play’ report on physical activity and sport in India is set to be published in February 2024.

About SSA:

The Sports and Society Accelerator is an independent not-for-profit organisation (Section 8), co-founded by Desh Gaurav Sekhri and Nandan Kamath, focused on building the Indian sports ecosystem. Its goal as an ecosystem builder is to achieve social outcomes at a population scale, using the universality of the sports experience, with an eventual target of universal participation in physical activity for India by 2047. Established as a policy-to-action initiative, the Accelerator has a dual-engine approach. It uses independent research and policy interventions to drive institutional and systemic reform, programmes, and projects to enhance inclusion, empowerment, and equality using sport. The Accelerator works with government, civil society, and social enterprises. The Accelerator's theory of change is that 'sports for all' can be achieved when solutions are in the hands of participants. Its Sports Stack approach advocates a whole-of-system and open-source model to achieve universal access to sporting opportunities and universal physical literacy, working with government and civil society. The Accelerator's board of advisors includes noted sports journalist Sharda Ugra, CEO of Pratham Rukmini Banerji, and veteran sports administrator Joy Bhattacharjya.

About The Isaac Family Foundation (TIFF):

The Isaac Family Foundation is driven by a commitment to foster a lasting and positive impact on society by addressing issues in the healthcare, livelihoods and opportunities space.

The Foundation will also work to empower marginalised communities and improve individual lives. Through collaboration they welcome all who share their purpose, inviting them to join in creating meaningful change and inspire a culture of giving.

The Foundation is built on a framework of partnerships with organizations, local leaders and communities recognising that they are best suited to tailor solutions to their unique needs. By distributing decision-making and resources, they ensure that their initiatives are not only effective but also sustainable in the long term. To learn more about their projects, visit their website at www.tiff.org.in