Dharwad kick for a greener tomorrow
adidas and Common Goal team up for an environmental project in India
In the rural communities of Dharwad District, Karnataka, students are rising to meet challenges that stretch beyond textbooks and classrooms. As climate change tightens its grip, long droughts, extreme heatwaves, and seasonal flooding have begun to disrupt everyday life for the region’s youngest generation. Crops have withered, water shortages are becoming routine, and local schoolyards, once places of play and connection, are now often dry, cracked, and unusable.
In response, Enabling Leadership is returning with the second phase of its impactful initiative: Dharwad Play for the Planet 2.0. In partnership with adidas and Common Goal, the project will build on the success of its first edition by scaling up infrastructure adaptation and expanding its environmental education program across more schools and communities.
This isn’t just about sport—it’s about resilience, sustainability, and unlocking potential.
Climate adapted infrastructure:
At the core of the project is the transformation of six rural school grounds into safer, more resilient spaces for sports and community activities. These upgrades will allow students to play, train, and gather year-round, despite the challenges of a changing climate.
Key improvements include:
Ground levelling to counteract erosion and ensure safer, even playing surfaces
Drainage systems that manage floodwater and prevent rain from damaging walkways, buildings, and sports fields
Tree planting to restore biodiversity, provide shade, and enhance the natural resilience of the school environment
Waste management systems, including new bins and recycling stations, to encourage cleaner school grounds and responsible disposal habits
These climate-conscious interventions aim to turn underused and unsafe grounds into vibrant spaces for movement, learning, and community.
Education on environmental sustainability through sports:
Across 12 rural schools, students will participate in an expanded EL-Play for the Planet program, a unique blend of football training, life skills development, and environmental education. Students will learn how to play the game, how their actions impact the planet, and how leadership, teamwork, and resilience can help them build a better future.
Each child will engage in sessions that integrate climate awareness into sport, exploring topics such as:
The science of climate change and its local effects
How environmental choices affect daily life and community well-being
Practical leadership lessons rooted in teamwork, respect, and responsibility