At the heart of Crossover India’s mission lies a simple belief: sport can be far more than a game. With the Hoops Creating Hope programme, that belief takes shape in a free, two-week experience designed for students aged 8-14 (with a gender-balanced mix) who come from marginalized backgrounds.
What’s the programme all about?
Through a combination of basketball, classroom sessions and experiential learning, students are given the opportunity to develop key life-skills—leadership, teamwork, communication, character, and gender equity—while also making the link between those and their academic success and future goals.
Rather than simply increasing hours in a traditional classroom, the approach uses sport as the vehicle for change: on the court and off, students engage with sessions that integrate academics, individual skill development, team building, physical conditioning and yoga.
Hosted in Delhi and Chennai, the initiative welcomes nearly 500 students across the academy. Also, influential voices from both India and the US—coaches, educators and student role-models—participate in the sessions, sharing their perspectives on the positive role sport can play in education.
Voices from What’s Happening
One educator shared:
“A big thank you from me and my class kids to your whole team for organising this amazing camp. Just 2 days into the camp and I am already witnessing many positive changes in the kids. The kids are also having so much fun and are getting exposed to so many new things. I cannot wait to see the other possibilities the camp is going to open up for all the kids who are attending.”
And students too:
“A big thanks to Crossover. This helped me improve my game while I concentrate on my (academic test) scores. Thank you coach for taking me closer to my dream. I’m working and I will keep at it.”
“My favorite classroom lessons were friendship, loyalty, self-control, spirit, cooperation, and condition. I will favour these lessons in my day-to-day life.”
Why It Matters
In many under-served communities, children may have limited access to opportunities that build both academic and personal confidence. By combining sport with life-skills and educational support, Hoops Creating Hope helps students see that success isn’t only about what happens in the classroom—but also about character, relationships and teamwork.
Moreover, the gender balance aspect means that both girls and boys are given equal access to the programme’s benefits, helping promote gender equity from a young age.
Lastly, by bringing together local and international thought-leaders, coaches and role-models, the programme broadens students’ horizons and shows them that they, too, can be future change-makers.
How You Can Be Involved
If you’re looking to support or be part of this initiative, there are a few avenues: volunteering, mentoring, collaborating with Crossover’s academy, or making a donation to help scale the reach. The impact of just two weeks can be profound when the support is structured, inclusive and guided
Source: HOOPS CREATING HOPE
