Aarav Saraf

About Me

I’m Aarav Saraf, a student at Cathedral and John Connon Senior School and an avid football player. Football has taught me discipline, confidence and teamwork, and I’ve been fortunate to have access to safe spaces and good coaching. I’m supporting OSCAR Foundation because I want children from underserved communities to have the same opportunities. OSCAR uses football to keep children in school, build life skills and create safe spaces for them to play and grow, something every child deserves.

Appeal

This January, I am excited and proud to run the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026 in support of the OSCAR Foundation.

OSCAR Foundation is a community-based Sports for Development (S4D) organisation that uses the power of football to encourage children to stay in school and become resilient, future-ready individuals. Through their No School, No Football policy and their Football and Life Skills, Education, and Young Leader programmes, OSCAR has empowered over 35,000 children and youth from low-income communities since 2010.

This year, my run supports OSCAR special initiative in Manori, a coastal village in Mumbai that is home to fisherfolk families and seven Adivasi (tribal) communities. More than 450 children study at Dnyansadhana Education Society’s School, many of them first-generation learners who face economic and social challenges but carry immense potential. The children of Manori love football, but they do not have a proper ground where they can safely play, train and grow.

OSCAR Foundation aims to change that by helping build a football ground on the school campus, giving children from Manori, especially those from tribal and fisherfolk communities, a safe space to play, learn and develop confidence. This ground will nurture their talent, strengthen their future opportunities, and provide them the environment every child deserves.

My passion for sports has taught me discipline, teamwork and resilience. Running this marathon for OSCAR is my way of contributing to a cause that empowers children to dream big, stay in school and pursue their love for football in a safe and supportive environment.

Your contribution, no matter the amount, can help change a child’s future. Together, we can ensure more children get the chance to learn, play, grow and perhaps even fulfil their dream of playing football for India one day.

Let’s run together for inclusion, opportunity and lasting positive change.
Thank you for your support!

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