Pune: 10th January 2025 by ImpactLens Correspondent
Foundation days in the development sector are usually moments of retrospection—annual reports, panel discussions, workshops, and carefully drafted speeches. They are important, but they often mirror the very routines staff navigate all year. In its 28th Foundation Day celebrations, Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) chose to ask a different question: What if a foundation day truly belonged to staff—not as audience members, but as protagonists?
The answer unfolded on a cricket ground.
A simple idea, a powerful shift
Instead of a conventional ceremony, CYDA marked its Foundation Day with the Staff Premier League (SPL)—a cricket tournament created by staff, for staff, and about staff. Six teams were formed, drawing colleagues from YouthAid Global Services (YAG), YouthAid Foundation (YAF), Rainbow Root Foundation, and Youth4Change. Titles mattered less than togetherness; designations dissolved into jerseys, bats, and shared cheers.
The ground transformed quickly—workstations replaced by boundary lines, meetings by match schedules, and deadlines by innings. Laughter, friendly banter, and encouragement echoed across the field. People who usually met through emails and review meetings now met through high-fives and fielding drills.
The idea was conceptualised by Mathew Mattam, Founder of CYDA. In his address, he reminded everyone that staff are not merely human resources—they are the organisation’s living foundation. “Sports,” he shared, “keep the body healthy, the mind creative, and the team connected and accept defeat plan for success next time.” The day that followed proved his point.
When leadership listens, culture follows Reflecting on the choice, Nitin Jadhav, Joint Director, CYDA, observed:“Usually NGOs celebrate foundation days with intellectual discussions or workshops. I’ve witnessed many such events. But celebrating through a staff-centric cricket league was innovative and encouraging. It clearly showed that CYDA understands what interests its staff and genuinely cares for them.”
That sense of being seen—not only as professionals but as people—set the tone for the entire event.
During the inaugural ceremony, Dilmeher Bhola, President of CYDA, spoke about sports as a platform for equality and confidence-building. She particularly encouraged women’s participation, calling it “a powerful and inspiring signal of the organisation’s values in action.”
Inclusion, designed—not declared. What made the Staff Premier League distinctive was not just that it happened, but how it was designed.
Inclusivity was built into the rules. Except for the LGBTQIA+ team—RRF Fighters—each team of eleven was required to field at least five women. All five women batters opened the innings, supported by a male non-striker, ensuring equal opportunity and visibility. Two women bowlers per team were mandatory. Matches were short, fast, and fair—10 overs per side—keeping energy high and barriers low.
As M. N. Sanyal, CEO of YouthAid Foundation, explained: “When we talk about inclusivity, discussions often stop at male–female representation. The inclusion of RRF Fighters as a dedicated LGBTQIA+ team reflected our commitment not just in intent, but in practice.”
The teams—CYDA Eleven, YAF Blasters, YAG Warriors, RRF Fighters, Y4C Risers, and Y4C Strikers—were selected through a lottery, reinforcing fairness and spontaneity. From the first ball to the final over, the league became a living classroom on equity.
Learning beyond the pitch
For many staff members, SPL became a mirror—revealing strengths, vulnerabilities, and the joy of collective effort.
Bhagyashree Panghanti shared: “I discovered abilities I didn’t know I had and felt motivated to work on my weaknesses. Trust and teamwork made the game enjoyable. Equality was visible—girls played alongside boys with confidence and energy.”
Age differences disappeared as well. Teams had young recruits, mid-career professionals, and senior colleagues playing side by side. Yuvraj Rathod, whose team lifted the trophy, reflected:
“Managing players of different age groups wasn’t easy, but that’s what made it special. We supported one another in every match. Teamwork and encouragement helped us win.”
The event also functioned as a reset—a joyful pause from demanding fieldwork and deadlines. Umesh described it as energising and deeply bonding: “Though it was a one-day event, its impact on coordination and unity was significant. The inclusion of women created a positive environment. We came together not for targets, but for sportsmanship—and that spirit will reflect in our work.”
The spectacle of shared joy
Beyond the matches, SPL felt like a festival. Commentators added drama to every over. Cheerleaders amplified the excitement. DJs ensured momentum never dipped. Staff who weren’t playing became the loudest supporters. Small organising tasks—scorekeeping, refreshments, logistics—became moments of ownership.
Rut)uja captured the mood perfectly:
“From the youngest staff to senior members, everyone played with full energy. Supporting the organisers made me feel more connected. We learned that no one wins alone—every contribution matters. I would love to be part of the organising team next time.”
The finale—between Y4C Risers and YAG Warriors—was a thrilling contest, ending with Y4C Risers lifting the Rolling Cup. But by then, the trophy felt symbolic; the real victory was collectiveness among the staff.
The Staff Premier League offers clear lessons for the development sector:
- Culture is built through experience, not memos. Values like inclusion and equality gain meaning when lived together.
- Staff well-being is strategic, not secondary. Joy, play, and rest directly influence performance and retention.
- Design matters. Inclusive rules ensured participation wasn’t tokenistic but transformative.
- Leadership sets the tone. When leaders prioritise people, organisations become communities.
As the sun set on the cricket ground, conversations lingered—about next year, about expanding to twelve teams, about keeping the spirit alive beyond one day. Pravin Jadhav, Executive Director, shared his vision to grow SPL further, making it even more inclusive.
The Staff Premier League was not just a celebration of years completed. It was a declaration of how CYDA chooses to move forward—through collaboration, care, and shared joy.
For NGOs everywhere, the message is simple yet profound: sometimes, the most powerful way to honour an organisation’s foundation is to celebrate the people who are that foundation—on a cricket field, cheering each other on, learning to win and lose together.
