‘We Hope They Leave With Cherished Memories’: Wankhede Turns Into a Sea of Smiles as 20,000 Kids Cheer for Mumbai Indians

Ananya soch: The iconic Wankhede Stadium witnessed something far bigger than cricket on Sunday. The stadium transformed into a roaring festival of joy, hope, and inspiration as more than 20,000 children filled the stands during Mumbai Indians’s annual Education and Sports for All (ESA) game, organised in partnership with Reliance Foundation.

What made this year’s ESA match truly emotional was the participation of 100 visually impaired children, who attended the game for the very first time alongside their “hearing buddies.” More than 200 specially-abled children also became part of an experience many described as “once in a lifetime.”

Speaking about the initiative, Nita Ambani said the excitement and happiness on the children’s faces made the day unforgettable. She recalled visiting the National Association for the Blind before the IPL season, where children expressed their wish to experience the thrill of a live Mumbai Indians match.

“They told me they had never been to a stadium before and wanted to feel the excitement of a live match. Here they are today… and I hope they go back with cherished memories,” she said.

More Than a Match, It Became a Movement

Children from over 40 NGO partners across Mumbai, Satara, Nashik, Valsad, Igatpuri, and several remote regions travelled to Wankhede for the event. To manage the massive gathering, more than 550 BEST buses, 2,400 volunteers, 100+ medical personnel, and 92,000 food boxes were deployed throughout the day.

Mumbai Police also ensured smooth crowd management with over 1,000 police and traffic personnel stationed across the venue and routes.

Nita Ambani Shares India’s Olympic Dream

Mrs. Ambani, who is also an IOC member, highlighted Reliance Foundation’s larger vision for Indian sports. She said the foundation’s sports and education initiatives have already impacted over 29 million children across 28 states.

She added that Reliance Foundation is building high-performance centres across cricket, athletics, football, and several other sports with one common dream — bringing the Olympic Games to India one day.

For many children inside Wankhede, Sunday wasn’t just about watching cricket. It was about feeling seen, included, and inspired — perhaps for the very first time.