Childrens Charity, India
by Amaan, Asad, Izaan and Roshan.
We are Amaan, Asad, Izaan and Roshan from Andheri, Mumbai. We play football with OSCAR Foundation. This year, football gave us something we never imagined – a chance to go to the UK for the Football and Education Tour 2025.
Before our trip, our OSCAR Young Leader Suyash helped and guided us. He went to the UK in June 2025, for the OSCAR Edinburgh University trip, so he shared his own experience and helped us get ready. He told us what to expect, how to be confident and how to represent OSCAR and our community with pride.
When we got to know we were selected, we all felt so happy. Roshan says, “I felt amazing and proud. My mother started crying out of happiness. I am the first child in my village to ever travel to the UK or even sit in a plane.” Izaan says, “I had never sat in a domestic flight before, so for my family, seeing me board an international plane to London was the biggest thing ever.”
When we landed in the UK, everything looked so different, the weather, the food, the people. Roshan says, “People there are very soft-hearted. They respect everyone and do not discriminate. I was surprised by their manners and discipline.”
We trained with Manchester City FC, City in the Community coaches, played matches with teams from Bradford College, Eton College and Hall Grove School. We went swimming, tried film making, trekking in Dartmoor, swimming, golf, Eton Fives, art, science and a CCF Fitness course. Roshan was captain in some games. “We supported each other on the trek and overcame every challenge together. That’s where I really learned teamwork and leadership,” he says.
We were so lucky to go to a London Stadium to watch Brentford FC v Man City FC, big thank you to Barclays Bank for making our dream come true!
Amaan says, “One of my best memories was when I got Man of the Match. I felt great happiness. I also learnt small but important things, like saying thank you, holding the door for others and always being polite.”
Izaan says, “It felt unreal to see London for the first time. I was nervous, wondering how I would perform, but everyone encouraged me. I even learnt to make tea with tea bags. I added twenty more to make it more Indian!” He laughs and adds, “Playing there made me confident to face new challenges. I learned that everyone is treated equally, no one is big or small. Respect and politeness mean everything.” We learnt a lot about leadership from Mr Neil Tomlin, Headmaster of Hall Grove.
Asad says, “I learnt proper juggling, passing, communication and teamwork. Even the laser game at Hall Grove, which was difficult for me at first, became fun once I tried.” He also says, “My sister was helping me learn English speaking. She taught me how to speak confidently in front of people and that helped me.”
We also visited schools, met students and talked with them. Roshan says, “When I landed, I had no confidence and very weak English, but slowly I gained confidence in myself and improved.” Izaan says, “My dad told me, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing and never lose hope.’ That helped me believe I could make it.”
When we came back to India, we felt proud. Now we share what we learnt with other children in our communities. Amaan says, “Do hard work and have faith in the process. Even if there are difficulties, never give up.” Roshan says, “I learnt leadership and respect on this trip. To the children of OSCAR, I want to say never give up.” Izaan says, “Practise saying thank you and please more often. Respect and help each other. Stay and grow together, because no one is big or small.”
For us, this trip was not only about football. It was about learning new things, getting confidence, and believing in ourselves. We will never forget it.
“We are proud of these young players and of Suyash, whose leadership and mentorship show how football can truly change lives and demonstrates the power of the OSCAR Young Leader programme.” Lucinda Sowerbutts, Ashok Rathod and Rupesh Jadhav
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