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Cricket legend Rahul Dravid inspires Indian youth with surprise visit in Mumbai slums

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Indian Cricket legend Rahul Dravid recently spent time with youngsters from the Laureus-supported Magic Bus project in the Mankhurd slum in Mumbai.
Dravid, the second highest run-maker in Test cricket history, surprised the young cricket fans as they prepared for an educational sports session. The former India captain took part in informal coaching before participating in a game of street cricket, offering hints and tips while inspiring the sports-mad youngsters.
Dravid also spent time with Nitin Bawaskar, the young man leading the session who is a role model for other youths in the community. He learnt with Magic Bus how to capture attention and deliver a message through fun and engaging sporting activities, especially in a community crazy about cricket.
Since its inception, Laureus Sport for Good has supported over 150 projects worldwide which use sport to tackle violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Laureus has supported Magic Bus across India for 15 years to educate young people from disadvantaged communities using a mentorship and sport-for-development based approach.
Speaking after his visit to Magic Bus, Rahul Dravid was impressed by Nitin and the other young people he met:
“Spending time with people like Nitin really brings the power of sport to life. The work being done at projects like Magic Bus is changing young people’s lives for the better. People call me their hero for what I achieved in my Test cricket career but for me, Nitin and other inspirational leaders are the real heroes of sport.”
Medha Oka, Magic Bus spokesperson said:
Magic Bus was delighted to have Laureus Academy Member Rahul Dravid visit our Mankhurd programme. Areas like this need support the most to make sure children can access opportunities for education so that they can grow up to better livelihood options and move out of the debilitating poverty they are growing up in today. We are grateful to Laureus for enabling our children to make this journey.”

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