Nurturing Girls’ Talent for Football through Leadership
Kickstart Equality
Based on our decade long learning that sports such as football can be a gamechanger for gender equity, this initiative aims to tap, nurture and unleash the sporting potential of women and girls.
It started in 2011 when there was no template to address gender equality through sports, with a handful of girls belonging to the vulnerable communities in Jamia Nagar. Not only did it completely transform the girls’ confidence levels and outlook, but it also had a ripple effect on their families and communities.
From 25 girls, today over 2.3 lakh girls have undergone our programme, with our players participating at the club, state, national and international levels. We’ve also built a cadre of over 60 women football coaches across India. Over the years we’ve consolidated our efforts, with the programme successfully running in communities and schools across Delhi-NCR, Nuh district (formerly Mewat) in Haryana and Alwar district in Rajasthan. 2024 onwards we are partnering with grassroots organisations to replicate and scale up the programme to other states.
A graded, inclusive football programme, it has led to positive outcomes for girls such as retention in school, more girls opting for dignified careers and livelihoods, enhanced confidence, decision-making and leadership qualities, increased outdoor activity and mobility, better social networks and expanded circles, health and well-being focus, delayed marriage, improved gender norms, reduction of gender discrimination, parent buy-in and support and access in the community.
Supporters
Key Features:
A blend of ‘sports for development’ and ‘sports development’, creating pathways to excellence through an inclusive initiative, open to all age groups, with different levels of engagement
Kickstart Equality Football Module – On-ground and in-classroom life skills curriculum covering community and school-based engagement throughout the year
Technical Football and Competitive Participation– Sports camps, ongoing training and mentoring with certified D licensed coaches, participation in competitive matches, leagues and tournaments
Leadership Development – Participation in public forums, campaigns, capacity building trainings and advocacy opportunities
Coaches Development – Training and certifications ( licenses – E grassroots, D, Premier Skills, AFC C diploma), scholarships, exposures and mentoring for elite football
Lifecycle Approach – Expansion of girls participating through ‘virtuous cycle’ and role modeling, where many become peer educators and coaches
Advocacy for Women’s Football – Partnering with key stakeholders and organisations for an increase of investment in women’s football in India
Holistic – Engaging with women’s collectives, men & boys, parents, community/stakeholders and institutions to build an enabling environment
Highlights
Grassroots League and Tournaments in Jamia Nagar, Delhi since 2015
Took 2 young promising footballers Pratibha Singh & Aveka Singh from India to UK, Birmingham in 2015 to interact with AVFC women’s team members, attend training camps and participate in premier league matches, supported by Aston Villa Football Club (UK)
Organized the ‘ U13 Delhi Girls Soccer League’, in partnership with Delhi Soccer Association, Delhi Dynamos and Govt of NCT in 2015, where over 32 school teams from government and private schools participated
CEQUIN Alumni Aveka Singh from Sanskriti School, Delhi became the Vice Captain for the U17 National Women’s Football team
CEQUIN Senior Girls & Coaches participate in Senior Nationals , 2021-22
Influenced the upgrade of KGBV Girls’ schools in Mewat from Grade 10 to 12 in 2017 through football, culminating in the U-16 Inter-KGBV Mewat Football Tournament, supported by UNFPA
Organized the ‘Delhi Dreams Football Tournament’ for Under 13 Girls In partnership with the Aston Villa Football Club (UK) and Save the Dream, in 2018 with school teams playing league style matches.
CEQUIN Coaches Mala, Saiba, Somi and Anjali awarded the ‘Young Leaders Award’ at the Women’s Economic Forum, 2018
Awarded for ‘Promoting Gender Diversity through Football’ in 2019 by FICCI.
Received ‘Best NGO in Football Development Award’ by Delhi Soccer Association, 2019
Seemapuri Grassroot Leagues in 2022 supported by Laureus Sport for Good, with over 300 girls
CEQUIN is the Convener of the National Alliance for Women’s Football in India (50+ organizations) since 2018 . Our advocacy through NAWF has contributed to India being the host for the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2022.
CEQUIN girls and coaches at the FIFA Kickoff event with National Footballer Sunil Chhettri, at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in New Delhi
Organized D license coaches training for 22 women coaches in partnership with AIFF, 2022
CEQUIN Senior Coach Mala and Alumni Anne Aiza Khan coached the U17 and U15 Delhi state teams in 2023 for Sub Junior & Junior Nationals, organized by AIFF in Odisha. U15 were in 2nd position !
CEQUIN Coach Mala was assistant coach to the Delhi State Senior Girls team in 2024 for the Senior Women’s Nationals organized by the AIFF in Kolkata
Mewat Inter – Village U13 Football Tournament in 2024 in partnership with Roop Automotives Ltd with over 200 girls
Exhibition Matches (FIFA, UN Women, UNESCO, FICCI, Sanskriti School, Modern School Barakhamba, Australian High Commission etc)
CEQUIN’s Chairperson Sara Abdullah Pilot was appointed Chairperson of AIFF Women’s Committee from 2013-2022
6 Coaches and staff from CEQUIN visited USA as a part of the ENVEST programme supported by US Soccer Federation and Goals for Girls , 2018
CEQUIN Players Pyramid based on the recommended model by All India Football Federation
