On International Women’s Day, the insurance firm, ACKO announced an initiative with the long-time collaborator and the Indian Super League (ISL) team, Chennaiyin Football Club (CFC). In this collaboration, ACKO will provide free kits and equipment to schoolgirls along with football coaching for an entire year.
ACKO plans to stimulate the growth of their athletic abilities and encourage these girls to obtain their full potential regardless of their background.
Following the Women’s Day theme – ‘Break the Bias,’ the new venture looks forward to propagating inclusivity in youth sports. The collaboration also aims to help develop women’s football in the region and provide opportunities for young girls.
ACKO and CFC chose CSI St. Thomas Matric Hr. Sec. School, a girls school in Chennai where most of the students come from a family that are not well-to-do and cannot afford sports training for their daughters. Brand-new sporting gear and proper equipment will be provided to the girls in this collaboration. Fifteen students have already been selected by CFC soccer school coaches for one year, enabling them to follow their passion for the sport. CFC and ACKO looks forward to increasing the participation and contribution to football that have been traditionally dominated by men.
ACKO Dream Truck, which drove to the school brought ACKO branded jerseys, boots, backpacks, shin guards, sippers and footballs. After distributing the kits, the CFC coaching staff organised two-hour drills with the girls.
Speaking about the initiative, Ashish Mishra, EVP Marketing, ACKO, said, “At ACKO, we endeavor to empower young girls by turning to sports like football. Women’s representation in sports such as football remains at a disadvantage even today. With this initiative, ACKO and CFC aim to empower girls to shape their own stories. We want to motivate them to pursue their dreams and realize their ambitions as future sportswomen who will someday make the nation proud. We are thankful to our partner CFC for contributing to making this a reality.”
Vita Dani, Co-owner – Chennaiyin Football Club, said, “As a club it is important to acknowledge the future. And the future is women. I want to applaud Acko and Chennaiyin FC’s youth coaches for coming together to make this happen. This will be a fantastic opportunity for these young women to empower their football dream.”