Chennaiyin FC have announced a collaboration with HCLFoundation, which drives the corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda of global tech company HCLTech in India, roping it in as their Social Cause Partner for the tenth season of Indian Super League (ISL).
As per the agreement, the two parties will work together to nurture football at the grassroots level and use the sport to empower youth and community engagement.
Chennaiyin FC offered 500 match tickets to students and youth of HCLFoundation’s “Sports For Change” (SFC) initiative to attend the ISL game on April 9 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, with 20 children from the SFC programme escorting the Chennaiyin players into the stadium ahead of the match.
Select Chennaiyin matches are also to be live-streamed for students of Police Boys and Girls Clubs of Arumbakkam and Kannaginagar, Chennai, in accordance with the collaboration agreement.
Additionally, Chennaiyin FC players and staff members will join hands with HCLFoundation for a plantation activity at a Harit afforestation site, underscoring their commitment to environmental sustainability. They will also visit Kannaginagar Police Boys and Girls Club and interact with the SFC students from Kannaginagar to motivate them to pursue sports professionally.
Ekansh Gupta, Vice President, Chennaiyin FC, commented:
“This partnership represents a significant milestone in our journey to leverage the platform of football for broader social impact. By empowering youth, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of sportsmanship and inclusivity, we are committed to creating a vibrant ecosystem where dreams flourish and communities thrive.“
Nidhi Pundhir, Vice President, Global CSR, HCLTech and Director, HCLFoundation, said:
“Through this partnership with Chennaiyin FC, we aim to harness the unparalleled power of sports in fostering inclusion, empowering youth and driving positive social change. Together, we aspire to create a legacy of sportsmanship and community engagement that inspires generations to come.“