Vijay Barse, a retired sports teacher, serves as the inspiration for Amitabh Bachchan’s character in the film “Jhund.” Despite gaining recognition after the movie’s release, Barse’s endeavor to use sports to empower slum children is facing uncertainty due to a shortage of funds.
Barse, aged 77 and a former sports teacher at Nagpur’s Hislop College, is the founder of Slum Soccer, an organization that promotes football among underprivileged children. He initiated the Jhopadpatti Football tournament in 2001, witnessing children playing with an empty bucket. The success of this competition, with 128 participating teams, prompted Barse to organize 19 state inclusion tournaments and inspire similar events nationwide. Additionally, he coaches slum kids at his academy.
Recently, the State Inclusion Cup 2022 began after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, funds have dwindled, with only 12 men’s teams and eight women’s teams participating, a significant drop from the 48 teams in 2019.
Barse’s son, Abhijeet, who is the co-founder and CEO of Slum Soccer, explains that sponsorships are scarce due to companies redirecting corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to PM-CARES and Covid relief work. Despite critical acclaim for “Jhund,” sponsorships have not materialized, and Barse is urgently organizing tournaments to select teams for the Homeless World Cup in September.
While local authorities in Pune have extended support, Abhijeet emphasizes the need for long-term coaching. He envisions a residential coaching academy to nurture talent from slums, providing children with a constructive purpose and steering them away from harmful habits.
Barse, despite health concerns, remains committed to his mission, hoping that people will join the cause to transform the lives of slum children through sports. Abhijeet underscores the importance of using sports to keep these children away from addictions and bad company, especially in the challenging context of the pandemic.
