New Zealand High Commission Joins Hands with STAIRS Foundation to Promote Grassroots Sports and Youth Development in India

Published on 8 Sep, 2025
2 minute read

Overview

In March 2025, STAIRS Foundation—a National Sports Promotion Organisation (NSPO) recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports—initiated a landmark collaboration with the New Zealand High Commission, marked by a historic street cricket match featuring Rt. Hon. Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Mr. Kapil Dev, India’s legendary cricketer.

This unique initiative represents STAIRS Foundation’s commitment to fostering youth empowerment through community-based sports. It has set a precedent for how sport can be used for social engagement, inclusion, and international goodwill—without any political undertone.

Objectives of the Initiative

To introduce global collaboration models for grassroots sports development
To inspire underserved communities by creating direct engagement opportunities with global leaders and athletes
To promote structured, inclusive, and sustainable sports programs for young athletes in India
To serve as a replicable model for international missions, embassies, and global institutions looking to engage meaningfully with Indian youth

Key Highlights of the Event

Event Title : Community Street Cricket Match – A Symbol of Sports Collaboration
Date & Location : March 18, 2025 | New Delhi
Organised by : STAIRS Foundation in association with the New Zealand High Commission

Lead Participants

Rt. Hon. Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand
Sir Kapil Dev, Former Indian Cricket Captain and World Cup Winner
H.E. Patrick John Rata, New Zealand High Commissioner to India
Mr. Ross Taylor, Former New Zealand Cricketer
Mr. Ajaz Patel, New Zealand International Cricketer
Mr. Siddhartha Upadhyay, Founder & President, STAIRS Foundation

Ceremonial Moments

Launch of the Official Event T-Shirt : A symbolic unveiling by all dignitaries to mark the commencement of the collaboration
Coin Toss & Match : Conducted in the true spirit of sportsmanship and inclusion, the match was not a competition but a celebration of unity through play.
Youth Participation : Young athletes from underserved communities were selected to play and interact with global leaders, making the event deeply impactful at the grassroots level

Strategic Vision & Long-Term Goals

This event was not an isolated activity. It signified the start of a long-term partnership focused on:

Structured Training Programs Providing year-round, age-appropriate coaching to talented youth across India with professional supervision and technical support.
Community Sports Infrastructure Developing accessible playing fields and basic infrastructure in underserved regions to ensure children have safe and regular access to sports.
Scholarships & Mentorship Identify promising athletes and connect them with mentors, coaches, and educational support to foster their holistic development.
Cross-Cultural Exchange Programs Facilitating visits, training exchanges, and digital learning platforms between India and participating countries to enhance global understanding through sports.

Impact Achieved

International Engagement with Local Communities The presence of a foreign Head of Government in a grassroots sports event created an unmatched motivational atmosphere.
Media & Public Recognition The event was covered across platforms, projecting a positive image of people-first diplomacy driven by social value.
Youth Inspiration Dozens of children from STAIRS programs could directly interact with global role models, leaving a lasting impression.
Scalable Model The design and execution of this event can be easily replicated by other embassies, high commissions, and international agencies.

Why Partner with STAIRS Foundation?

Reach : With a presence in 26 states and 480 districts, STAIRS has positively impacted over 25 million lives, making it a leader in grassroots sports development in India.
Network : STAIRS leverages a robust network of over 2,500 coaches and volunteers, ensuring large-scale, efficient, and sustainable program implementation even in remote communities.
State Partnerships : STAIRS has formal collaborations with state governments of Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, enhancing its ability to execute high-impact initiatives aligned with local development goals.
Transformative Initiatives : STAIRS programs go beyond sports—they foster talent, improve health, enhance education, and develop life skills, creating lasting change in underserved communities.
Talent Scouting & Training : The STAIRS School Football League (SSFL), launched in 2014, is globally recognised as the world’s largest school-based talent scouting and training initiative, with over 100,000 schoolchildren having participated across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Grassroots Sports Development : STAIRS launched One India One Goal, the world’s largest grassroots sports development program, in 2023. Its second edition in 2024 witnessed participation from over 5,000 athletes representing 15 states and union territories, competing across 15 sporting disciplines.

Partnering with STAIRS means aligning with a mission-driven organisation that delivers real, scalable, and measurable impact through sports.

Invitation to Embassies, Missions & International Organisations

STAIRS Foundation welcomes the opportunity to co-create purpose-led, non-political, high-impact sports programs in collaboration with embassies, international development agencies, and global partners.

Whether through a friendly match, a sports mentorship workshop, or a community engagement initiative, your participation can help build the next generation of global citizens through the transformative power of sports.

Let’s work together to create moments that inspire and programs that last.