- Grassroots Glory: 500 young finalists compete as UBS Athletics Kids Cup hosts Ahmedabad City Final at SAG Ground
- Movement with Meaning: From 5,000 participants to a citywide celebration of confidence and inclusivity
- Champions in the Making: Neeraj Chopra, Daniel Schenker and UBS India underline sport’s power to shape futures
NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JAN 13
The UBS Athletics Kids Cup reached a significant milestone in its second season with the successful hosting of the Ahmedabad City Final on January 12, 2026, at the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) Athletics Ground, Nikol. The event marked a vibrant culmination of the Ahmedabad pilot, celebrating grassroots athletics, youthful energy and the joy of movement.
Launched barely two months ago, the Ahmedabad pilot has already ignited strong enthusiasm for athletics at the school level. Beginning with 20 schools and two sports academies, the initiative engaged over 5,000 children through inter-school competitions. From this pool, the top 500 young athletes earned their place at the City Final, transforming the venue into a festival of sport, confidence and camaraderie.
Ahmedabad Pilot at a Glance
- 5,000 children participated in school-level competitions
- 500 finalists competed in the Ahmedabad City Final
- Participating schools included Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul, A-One Xavier’s School, Maharaja Agrasen Public School, among others
- Sports academies: Grow Academy and Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG)
At the City Final, boys and girls aged 7 to 15 competed across the initiative’s core disciplines—the 60m sprint, long jump and ball throw. The professionally organised event reflected the core values of the UBS Athletics Kids Cup: inclusivity, participation and holistic physical development. Winners were felicitated with medals, certificates and prizes, making the day a memorable milestone for children, parents and schools alike.
Growing National Footprint
With its second season, the UBS Athletics Kids Cup has now reached over 250,000 children across five Indian cities, highlighting its expanding national relevance. From urban schools to remote communities, the initiative has enabled children to move, compete and grow. Across the country, schools displayed remarkable creativity—organising competitions on beaches, in courtyards and even on temporarily closed streets—reinforcing the belief that passion for sport needs no perfect infrastructure.
“The UBS Athletics Kids Cup has quickly become a powerful tool in shaping India’s sporting future,” said Daniel Schenker, CEO of Dspowerparts and co-founder of the initiative. “When over 250,000 children are already part of this movement in just our second season, one can imagine what this could mean in ten years—how many children might be inspired to become more active, self-confident, and perhaps even form the next generation of Indian champions.”
Inspiration for the Next Generation
Olympic champion and UBS Athletics Kids Cup ambassador Neeraj Chopra expressed pride in the initiative’s growing momentum across India.
“It was wonderful to see so many children discovering athletics in such a joyful and accessible way,” said Neeraj Chopra. “What I love about the UBS Athletics Kids Cup is that it gave every child—regardless of their background—the opportunity to play sport, challenge themselves, and dream big. These experiences can change lives and build self-confidence far beyond the sports field.”
Between November 1 and January 17, the UBS Athletics Kids Cup hosted 14 Regional and Grand City Finals across Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai and Ahmedabad, bringing together the best young athletes from hundreds of schools in professionally curated settings that celebrated effort, talent and the sheer joy of movement.
“It was not just about winning medals,” said Matthias Schacke, Head of UBS India Service Company. “It was about nurturing a culture where sport becomes a natural part of every child’s life—empowering them to grow stronger, healthier, and more connected to their communities. That’s how we build a better future, together.”
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