In the bylanes of Sangam Vihar, a quiet but powerful movement is unfolding. A movement that replaces dusty alleys with determined athletes. At the heart of this transformation lies the Khel Khel Mein Foundation (KKMF), a grassroots non-profit that is turning football into a force for social change. What started as a modest initiative to bring structured sports into marginalized communities is now a talent incubator, especially for young girls.
“KKM is a non-profit organization that aims to uplift underprivileged communities through sports, with a special focus on women empowerment. Our goal is to create role models from the community itself who can carve a way for the future generations,” says Anirban Ghosh, the man who ensures that KKMF’s vision translates into everyday action.
An AIFF C-License coach, Anirban is the operational backbone of KKMF. He not only manages day-to-day programming and training but also recently coached the Inter Kashi Women’s Team. Closer to home, he helms Sangam Vihar FC, a team that has become KKMF’s success story. Alongside Anirban, four coaches, including two young women from the community itself, now lead the training and mentoring of new players.
Founded in 2013 by Teach For India fellows, KKMF began with the belief that play is not a luxury, but rather a right. Over time, it evolved into a three-tiered structure designed to take children from casual gully matches to national-level exposure. In the past year alone, 84 children have participated in 648 sports sessions, with girls forming 62% of the total athlete base. Ten players represented their states and clubs at national platforms. Most importantly, three community-based athletes became licensed coaches.
One of the brightest feathers in KKMF’s cap is Sangam Vihar FC, a club that now feeds players into some of India’s top women’s football teams. This season, Raziya made her Indian Women’s League (IWL) debut with Odisha FC, while Ruchi turned out for Sethu FC and went on to attend the Indian national camp.
In the Karnataka Women’s League, seven KKMF players suited up for PASS FC, helping the team secure fourth place in its debut season. Meanwhile, Raziya continued her scoring spree in the Mumbai Super Division League, netting nine goals and four assists for SC Bacaïm. In Delhi, KKMF players representing Jaguar FC achieved a third-place finish at the State Championship, underscoring the reach and consistency of the program.
Certain statistics are incredible. The KKM community girls’ team has a 56% win rate, and 30% of the siblings of the players also get enrolled in the initiative. The kids who are enrolled in the projects have never dropped out of school, which means the dropout rate is 0%.
Aanshi, who had to pause her playing career due to an injury, earned her AIFF D License and now coaches younger players. Tara, who represented Inter Kashi in IWL 2 while completing her school board exams, is also now a youth coach.
Every data point in KKMF’s report has a name and a story behind it. Gayatri rose from gully tournaments to Khelo India representation. Kusum is now rebuilding her strength after an injury halted her promising run. Juli, once limited by her family’s restrictions, is now a school national player and the inspiration for her sister’s sub-junior debut. Ruksaar, who is recovering from surgery, continue to embody strength in adversity. These are not just athletes; they are stories of community, courage, and transformation.
KKMF’s next steps are as bold as its past. The foundation aims to train 6–8 youth coaches, convert unused plots into safe play spaces, and deepen its five-year Excellence Pathway. Above all, it seeks to embed the culture of sport into the fabric of communities like Sangam Vihar.
