My name is Ahaan Shizan, a varsity football player at the International School of Hyderabad. I’m 16 years old, currently in Grade 12, and I’m from Hyderabad, India. I’ve trained under Coach Peter since I was 8 years old. He has trained countless kids, my friends, at Gopichand Academy and Hyderabad Football Academy. He offers free coaching, housing, and meals and never turns anyone away because of money. He coordinates with their parents. He tracks their schoolwork. He sacrifices his own comfort so they can fulfill their dreams.

As someone who has spent years training under Coach Peter, I want to ask you to donate to this campaign to support him and his students. These 12 young athletes left home to chase a dream. Let’s make sure they don’t have to give up school to do it.

Problem

India has one of the lowest per-capita sports investments in the world—just ₹2.5 per person annually (2023), compared to over ₹1,500 in countries like the UK. At the grassroots level, families are often forced to choose between education and basic survival.

Even among India’s elite athletes, more than half come from families earning less than ₹3,00,000/year. Scholarships rarely cover books, uniforms, or transportation. In this environment, even ₹500 can decide whether a young athlete stays in school.

At Grassroots Football Academy (GRFA), 12 players from disadvantaged backgrounds train full-time. But while training, housing, and food are provided free of charge, their education is at risk.

Our Solution 

This campaign raises ₹88,200 to cover 6 months of education-related expenses for all 12 students.

That includes:

• School/college/online tuition
   
• Exam registration
   
• Textbooks and learning materials
   
• Academic travel to home districts
   
• Supplemental tutoring where needed
   

Without this support, several students risk falling behind or dropping out altogether.

Here’s who your support will help keep in school this year:

• Amar, Aziz, and Orlan (age 16) – from Manipur
• Joshua, Subash, and Ramakant (age 16) – from Telangana
• Sai (age 18) – from Nizamabad District, Telangana
• Hema and Chinnu (age 20) – from Hyderabad and Goa
• Marco and Tej (age 21) – from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
• Rishab (age 22) – from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

All are enrolled in school, college, or online learning programs.

Football is the most popular sport in the world, but in India it is still a privilege. Talent shouldn’t be limited by income, geography, or access.

This campaign isn’t just about one year of school fees.
It’s the first step toward building a long-term, sustainable support system for Coach Peter’s Grassroots Football Academy.
The work he’s doing, training, feeding, and mentoring underserved players, deserves awareness, recognition, and backing.

Your donation helps lay the foundation. Not just for 12 students, but for the future of grassroots sport in India.