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In a remarkable testament to the transformative power of grassroots sports training, AU Small Finance Bank is proud to announce that two exceptional athletes from Sikar, Majid Khan and Preetam, have secured coveted positions in the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) National U17 Football Team. Both athletes, with no prior background in sports, underwent intensive training under the ongoing AU Foundation’s Bano Champion Sports project.

Majid Khan associated with the Bano Champion initiative for a year, is the son of a construction worker. Despite financial constraints, Majid's passion for football flourished under the mentorship of Coach Jai Prakash. Playing as a goalkeeper, Majid's outstanding skills and dedication have earned him a spot in the SGFI National U17 Football Team.

Preetam has been associated with Bano Champion for 18 months. His father, Mr. Raj Kumar, is an auto driver, and his mother Taramani is a homemaker. They encouraged Preetam to rise as a skilled footballer under the guidance of Coach Jai Prakash. Playing as a defender in the stopper position, Preetam's success is attributed to the competitive environment of the Bano Champion weekend league, where he played weekly with multiple teams within his zone.

Both Majid and Preetam hail from  deprived background, took their sporting journey a notch up by becoming national-level athletes. This reflects their dedication and guidance provided by AU Small Finance Bank's Bano Champion initiative. The achievements of Majid and Preetam include their outstanding performance in the SGFI State-level Sports tournament, leading to their selection to represent the Rajasthan SGFI team in the upcoming nationals, scheduled to take place in Andaman and Nicobar from December 27, 2023, to January 5, 2024. Additionally, both athletes were part of the Runner-up team at the AU Bano Champion State Level Sports Tournament held in January 2023.

Bano Champion project- ‘Maidaan se Manzil Tak’ is a groundbreaking CSR initiative of AU Small Finance Bank, launched in October 2021, with an aim to provide guided sports training to rural youth, in sports such as athletics, football, throwball, volleyball, and games of local preference. The programme has quickly evolved into a transformative force, impacting the lives of over 8000 children across 64 rural and semi-urban locations in 22 districts of Rajasthan. The initiative has garnered support from various sectors, including partnerships with sectoral experts, association bodies, and the government.

AU Small Finance Bank continues to champion the cause of empowering underprivileged children through the 'Bano Champion' program, providing expert sports training and creating opportunities for them to shine on a national stage.

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