365telugu.com online news,Hyderabad, 14 November 2025:The UBS Athletics Kids Cup India, one of the country’s largest privately funded grassroots sports initiatives, has registered over 200,000 children from more than 2,500 schools nationwide in its 2025 edition—its second season.
The program, backed by UBS and co-founded by sports promotion company Dspowerparts, emphasizes inclusivity by reaching children from diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Schools across urban and rural India have staged local qualifiers in unconventional venues including beaches, courtyards, and temporarily closed streets, demonstrating that access to formal facilities is not a prerequisite for participation.
Olympic and world javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, the initiative’s ambassador, welcomed the rapid growth. “It’s wonderful to see so many children discovering athletics in a joyful and accessible way,” Chopra said. “This gives every child—regardless of background—the chance to play sport, challenge themselves, and dream big.”
Starting 1 November, 13 Regional and Grand City Finals are being held across Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai, running through 17 January 2026. The top performers from school-level meets will compete in professional settings.
Daniel Schenker, CEO of Dspowerparts and co-founder of the UBS Athletics Kids Cup, highlighted the long-term vision: “When 200,000 children are already part of this movement in just our second season, imagine the impact in ten years—how many more will become active, confident, and perhaps future Indian champions.”
Matthias Schacke, Head of UBS India Service Company, added: “It’s not just about medals. It’s about making sport a natural part of every child’s life, building healthier and more connected communities.”
With childhood lifestyle-related health issues on the rise in India, organizers say the initiative is helping foster a more active generation while creating a talent pipeline for future national and Olympic success.