Mumbai Indians’ match against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday, April 27 at the Wankhede Stadium will be held in support of the “Education and Sports for All” (ESA) initiative led by Mrs. Nita M. Ambani.
This special ESA game is a yearly highlight for the Mumbai Indians during the IPL, where thousands of excited children from various NGOs across Mumbai come to the stadium, filling it with their energy, smiles, and dreams.
Mumbai Indians to Host Special ESA Game for Underprivileged Children
Before the upcoming ESA match, Mrs. Nita M. Ambani spoke to the Mumbai Indians players about how meaningful the game is. She said, “People who have been with Mumbai Indians know our next game is very special, we have underprivileged children coming, and the energy is really special. So please, put up your best show for them. They wait for years in line to get to come and see one match.”
She also shared an emotional memory from a previous ESA Day: “I was sitting in the stands with all of them, and this girl wasn’t eating much. She was picking on her food. I asked her why, and she said, ‘I’m saving it for my brother, because he’s never tasted cake in his life.’ These are the things that we want to support. We want to inspire these kids, that in spite of coming from different backgrounds, you can achieve wonders.”
Encouraging the players to make it a memorable day, she added: “This is a very special game me and for all of you who have been a part of this for many years. You can be the inspiration for these children and show them that they can be whatever they dream to be.”
On a bright Sunday afternoon, the iconic Wankhede Stadium will come alive with the cheers of around 19,000 children from various NGOs supported by Reliance Foundation, including 200 children with special needs. Dressed in blue and gold, they’ll be cheering for their favorite cricketers in what will be the first-ever live cricket match experience for many of them – a memory they’ll treasure forever.
ESA Match: A Celebration of Spirit, Inclusion, and Unity
The game is part of the Education and Sports for All (ESA) initiative, a flagship program by Reliance Foundation – the CSR arm of Reliance Industries Limited – launched in 2010 in partnership with Mumbai Indians. Its aim is to make education and sports more accessible for children from all walks of life. Every year, one IPL match is marked as the ESA game, celebrating the initiative’s mission to empower young minds, spark ambition, and bring joy through learning and sport.
Over time, ESA has grown into a symbol of hope and inclusion, echoing the dreams of young people across India. It reflects Reliance Foundation’s belief that every child deserves the chance to learn, play, and grow. Beyond the match, ESA also runs year-round programs that offer educational, sports, and cultural opportunities to kids from underprivileged communities.
Since it began, Reliance Foundation’s sports initiatives have positively impacted over 23 million children and youth across the country, with ESA playing a vital role in encouraging both dreams and talent.
The ESA match is more than just cricket – it’s a celebration of spirit, unity, and the power of sport to uplift and inspire.
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