UBS Athletics Kids Cup concludes Season Two, supporting India’s long-term sporting ambitions

Mumbai, 4th February 2026: As India sharpens its focus on international sporting success, the foundations for future achievement are being built at grassroots level. With more than 250,000 children reached across multiple cities in just its second season, the UBS Athletics Kids Cup has emerged as one of the country’s most scalable youth sports initiatives – strengthening physical literacy, supporting schools and contributing to India’s long-term ambitions in athletics and major international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.

In a nutshell

250,000+ children reached: The UBS Athletics Kids Cup has grown into one of India’s largest grassroots sports initiatives in just two seasons.
Building future success: School-based athletics strengthens the foundation for India’s long-term ambitions at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.
Sustainable impact: A scalable, inclusive model that supports schools, health and the development of India’s sporting ecosystem.

As India intensifies its focus on sporting excellence and international success, the foundations of future achievement are being laid far earlier than elite competition. The second season of the UBS Athletics Kids Cup has concluded with a clear signal: sustainable sporting success begins at grassroots level.

In just two seasons, the initiative has reached more than 250,000 children, expanding from a single-city pilot into a multi-city movement across Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Chennai. By introducing structured athletics to schoolchildren aged 7 to 15, the UBS Athletics Kids Cup contributes to the long-term development of India’s sporting ecosystem at a time when the country is setting its sights firmly on global success.

India’s ambitions at major international events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games underline the importance of a strong and broad base of young athletes. Athletics – with its core movements of running, jumping and throwing – forms the foundation of almost every sport and plays a central role in developing physical literacy, coordination and confidence from an early age.

“International success does not start at elite level – it starts with access, participation and joy in movement,” says Daniel Schenker, CEO of Dspowerparts and co-founder of the initiative. “The UBS Athletics Kids Cup is designed to create exactly that foundation. By reaching hundreds of thousands of children, we are helping to build the base that any ambitious sporting nation needs.”

From grassroots participation to national ambition

Rather than focusing on early talent selection, the UBS Athletics Kids Cup emphasises inclusion and mass participation. This approach aligns with global best practice in sports development, where broad engagement at a young age increases both overall health outcomes and the likelihood of producing future elite athletes.

Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra, ambassador of the initiative, underlines this long-term perspective:

“Every athlete’s journey starts with simple movement and enjoyment,” says Chopra. “If India wants to succeed on the world stage, we must make sport accessible to children everywhere. The UBS Athletics Kids Cup is an indispensable step in this direction. ”

Schools as the backbone of sustainable sports development

Schools play a central role in the success of the UBS Athletics Kids Cup. Equipped with a ready-to-use toolkit, schools across India have organised competitions in playgrounds, courtyards and community spaces – often with minimal infrastructure but maximum commitment.

“Sport is a critical part of holistic education and long-term national development,” says Matthias Schacke, Head India Service Company at UBS. “Through the UBS Athletics Kids Cup, we aim to support India’s ambition to become a stronger sporting nation by investing where it matters most – in children, schools and communities.”

At the same time, the initiative addresses pressing societal challenges such as rising physical inactivity and childhood obesity, reinforcing sport as both a performance and public health solution.

A scalable model for India’s sporting future

The UBS Athletics Kids Cup follows a three-stage structure, from school-level competitions to city finals, allowing children from all backgrounds to participate and progress in a structured yet inclusive environment. With Season Two concluded, the programme continues to strengthen its contribution to India’s long-term sports ecosystem, complementing elite pathways by building a broad and resilient foundation.

“ What began in one city has grown into a national movement”, says Schenker. “The UBS Athletics Kids Cup starts at the grassroots level with 250,000 children discovering athletics in their communities, and thereby building India’s entire sporting ecosystem from the playground to the podium. This is a sustainable contribution to India’s sporting future. ”

Looking ahead: building a long-term platform for India’s sporting future

With two successful seasons completed, the UBS Athletics Kids Cup is now entering its next phase of development. The focus is shifting from rapid growth alone to strengthening quality, regional depth and long-term impact – in close collaboration with schools, communities and stakeholders from across the sports ecosystem.

As India continues to invest in its ambitions on the international sporting stage, sustainable success will depend on broad access to sport at a young age. Initiatives such as the UBS Athletics Kids Cup demonstrate how scalable grassroots programmes can complement elite pathways by building physical literacy, confidence and participation nationwide.

“Creating a strong sporting nation is a shared responsibility,” says Daniel Schenker. “Long-term impact can only be achieved when schools, institutions and committed partners work together with a common vision.”

Looking ahead, the UBS Athletics Kids Cup aims to further expand its reach, deepen its presence in existing regions and continue developing as a platform that connects participation, inspiration and long-term ambition – laying the groundwork for India’s sporting future well beyond individual events or seasons.