Ruhaan Mahindru
Play4All
Sport has universal appeal and is a universal need across social classes especially for children. However, access to good quality and safe sports equipment and gear is difficult given they are usually branded products and extremely high priced relative to affordability by a common family in Mumbai. As a result children from underserved sections of society either are unable to experience certain sports or unable to play beyond a certain level as they cannot afford the right equipment. To solve this major societal issue, I began Play4All.
Our work
I started a large donation drive amongst friends, family and neighbors to share all their unused sports equipment. As the drive gained popularity, I used my position as sports captain to recruit members from my school, initiating collection projects across Mumbai. I collected all the equipment, categorised it and identified what treatment each required, accordingly refurbishing the same. The equipment ranged from large cycles and scooters to minute ping-pong balls or cricket gloves.
I then set up my first pilot store at the Municipal School where I was a volunteer. Although small, it was a magical day as I saw children come by curious to see all the equipment. As they played jubilantly, experimenting with the variety of sports gear on display, I saw the potential of sports to bring joy.
Some children suggested that I should sell such equipment in stores near their houses, so that the gear was always accessible to them. As an entrepreneur myself, I was fascinated by this social business opportunity. While speaking to a general provisions store keeper, he suggested that he was happy to support the cause as long as I paid him shelf rent. When I suggested a revenue share model, he agreed to take on board a large amount of my inventory. Thus, Play4All began. Using the same model, I have partnered with 5 more stores in different parts of Central Mumbai and in the last 4 months have contributed over 300 SKU’s. Play4All has also recently partnered with stores in Navi Mumbai, and will soon be bringing accessible equipment across the city.