Sport for Good City Delhi: Building Female Leaders through Community and Sports
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By Alexandra Flores I Laureus Sport for Good
Rozy rarely left her home, needing to provide for her son and husband through local food charities. She faced limited job opportunities and societal pressure as a woman in Seemapuri, an impoverished area in Delhi, India.
But her life changed after joining Laureus Sport for Good City Delhi. The initiative promotes gender equality through sport, empowering locals to lead change. For women like Rozy, sport is more than a game – it’s a platform to lead, build skills, and inspire community transformation. Today, she is a respected leader in her community.
"Before joining the coalition, I was overwhelmed by household chores and community pressure to pay rent" Rozy recalled. "The programme gave me a safe space to build my confidence and leadership skills."
Rozy rarely left her home, needing to provide for her son and husband through local food charities. She faced limited job opportunities and societal pressure as a woman in Seemapuri, an impoverished area in Delhi, India.
But her life changed after joining Laureus Sport for Good City Delhi. The initiative promotes gender equality through sport, empowering locals to lead change. For women like Rozy, sport is more than a game – it’s a platform to lead, build skills, and inspire community transformation. Today, she is a respected leader in her community.
"Before joining the coalition, I was overwhelmed by household chores and community pressure to pay rent" Rozy recalled. "The programme gave me a safe space to build my confidence and leadership skills."
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A Desire for More
Rozy’s early life mirrors the struggles of countless women in India who face systematic gender inequality and limited access to education and employment. Living in a slum with few basic amenities, she lacked opportunities to formal education or work.
However, her determination to improve her life never wavered. "My journey with Sport for Good City Delhi began with a gender training session, which sparked my interest and motivated me to learn more," Rozy added.
Her desire to contribute to her community, especially to women, led her to join one of the past coalitions within Sport for Good City Delhi, Centre for Equity and Inclusion (CEQUIN), which focuses on creating gender-equitable communities.
Through CEQUIN and Laureus, sports like football, combined with leadership and capacity-building training became tools for Rozy – not only for physical activity but also for building resilience and self-development.
"When Rozy joined the coalition, one of her biggest challenges was her inability to read and write," said Naseem Khan, CEQUIN programme manager.
The challenges with literacy often left her feeling excluded in meetings.
"It was evident she felt uneasy, which is why we decided to play a crucial role as a team to help her feel included," said Khan. "We implemented a structured approach to support Rozy’s educational development."
Gradually Rozy gained literacy and digital skills, learning how to use a smartphone, report on activities and communicate effectively. Through sport trainings and leadership workshops, she developed decision-making skills that enabled her to manage personal and community-related matters.
"I started addressing community issues, communicating with women and becoming more empowered through digital literacy and in life," said Rozy.
Rozy’s early life mirrors the struggles of countless women in India who face systematic gender inequality and limited access to education and employment. Living in a slum with few basic amenities, she lacked opportunities to formal education or work.
However, her determination to improve her life never wavered. "My journey with Sport for Good City Delhi began with a gender training session, which sparked my interest and motivated me to learn more," Rozy added.
Her desire to contribute to her community, especially to women, led her to join one of the past coalitions within Sport for Good City Delhi, Centre for Equity and Inclusion (CEQUIN), which focuses on creating gender-equitable communities.
Through CEQUIN and Laureus, sports like football, combined with leadership and capacity-building training became tools for Rozy – not only for physical activity but also for building resilience and self-development.
"When Rozy joined the coalition, one of her biggest challenges was her inability to read and write," said Naseem Khan, CEQUIN programme manager.
The challenges with literacy often left her feeling excluded in meetings.
"It was evident she felt uneasy, which is why we decided to play a crucial role as a team to help her feel included," said Khan. "We implemented a structured approach to support Rozy’s educational development."
Gradually Rozy gained literacy and digital skills, learning how to use a smartphone, report on activities and communicate effectively. Through sport trainings and leadership workshops, she developed decision-making skills that enabled her to manage personal and community-related matters.
"I started addressing community issues, communicating with women and becoming more empowered through digital literacy and in life," said Rozy.
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The power of football
When Rozy began playing football, she developed teamwork skills, discipline and self-confidence.
"I learned how to play football, which taught me valuable life skills and gave me a sense of empowerment, something I’ve never had before." Rozy said.
Sport for Good City Delhi uses sport to empower women like Rozy to become coaches, facilitators and community leaders who, in turn, utilise sport to transform the lives of young people, especially girls.
"We use football as a tool to connect and create these safe spaces where women and girls can build confidence, skills and leadership," said Renu Yadav, Laureus Sport for Good Delhi programme manager.
As her confidence grew, Rozy began to lead Sport for Good City Delhi’s safety audits and organise women’s and participant’s mothers in discussion circles about gender equality through sports.
In 2024 Laureus trained 45,767 parent and teachers. Sport for Good City Delhi is one of those initiatives that focuses on training participants’ parents, where Rozy is taking a leadership role in her community.
"Delivering sessions and raising awareness among mothers and women, in general, further boosted my confidence," she said. "I began supporting my neighbours, and they started listening to my suggestions, earning their respect and admiration."
As a result, more women and mothers gathered in parks, not only to play football but also to connect.
"Seemapuri faces high crime rates, making it difficult for women to step out of their homes safely. Despite this, Rozy has stepped up to support her community, encouraging girls to participate in sports and proving women can lead in society," said Khan.
When Rozy began playing football, she developed teamwork skills, discipline and self-confidence.
"I learned how to play football, which taught me valuable life skills and gave me a sense of empowerment, something I’ve never had before." Rozy said.
Sport for Good City Delhi uses sport to empower women like Rozy to become coaches, facilitators and community leaders who, in turn, utilise sport to transform the lives of young people, especially girls.
"We use football as a tool to connect and create these safe spaces where women and girls can build confidence, skills and leadership," said Renu Yadav, Laureus Sport for Good Delhi programme manager.
As her confidence grew, Rozy began to lead Sport for Good City Delhi’s safety audits and organise women’s and participant’s mothers in discussion circles about gender equality through sports.
In 2024 Laureus trained 45,767 parent and teachers. Sport for Good City Delhi is one of those initiatives that focuses on training participants’ parents, where Rozy is taking a leadership role in her community.
"Delivering sessions and raising awareness among mothers and women, in general, further boosted my confidence," she said. "I began supporting my neighbours, and they started listening to my suggestions, earning their respect and admiration."
As a result, more women and mothers gathered in parks, not only to play football but also to connect.
"Seemapuri faces high crime rates, making it difficult for women to step out of their homes safely. Despite this, Rozy has stepped up to support her community, encouraging girls to participate in sports and proving women can lead in society," said Khan.
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Ongoing Impact
Today, Rozy’s work continues to spread across Seemapuri, encouraging women in other communities to realise their own potential.
"Rozy is now a trusted figure in the community—women invite her to their homes for advice, and her voice brings people together,’’ Khan noted.
Her personal life has also transformed.
"Nowadays, my husband is supporting me. I've created my own identity not only at home, but in the community," Rozy said. "Thanks to Laureus I’ve found my purpose. Now I’m heard not just here in Seemapuri, but beyond."
Yadav highlighted: "Her journey reflects the essence of Laureus Sport for Good Delhi, empowering local leadership. She’s helped break down barriers, ensuring lasting change in her community."
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Click here to learn more about Laureus Sport for Good City Delhi.
Laureus Sport for Good Cities first launched in New Orleans, USA, in 2014, and then expanded to other US cities Atlanta, New York and Chicago; followed by London, Paris, Delhi and Hong Kong. The aim is to drive positive community action through collaboration via high quality centred sports-centred programmes that address local issues. Learn more about Sport for Good Cities - here.
Today, Rozy’s work continues to spread across Seemapuri, encouraging women in other communities to realise their own potential.
"Rozy is now a trusted figure in the community—women invite her to their homes for advice, and her voice brings people together,’’ Khan noted.
Her personal life has also transformed.
"Nowadays, my husband is supporting me. I've created my own identity not only at home, but in the community," Rozy said. "Thanks to Laureus I’ve found my purpose. Now I’m heard not just here in Seemapuri, but beyond."
Yadav highlighted: "Her journey reflects the essence of Laureus Sport for Good Delhi, empowering local leadership. She’s helped break down barriers, ensuring lasting change in her community."
***
Click here to learn more about Laureus Sport for Good City Delhi.
Laureus Sport for Good Cities first launched in New Orleans, USA, in 2014, and then expanded to other US cities Atlanta, New York and Chicago; followed by London, Paris, Delhi and Hong Kong. The aim is to drive positive community action through collaboration via high quality centred sports-centred programmes that address local issues. Learn more about Sport for Good Cities - here.
