Since 2011, Decathlon India has been working with two associations, Khelo Rugby and Terre Indica, to promote rugby-playing among young children from underprivileged communities. I've always believed in the power of sport in children's education, particularly for those from problem areas. For me it's a real driver of social integration and employability. As a Decathlon store manager trainer, I wanted to build closer relations with these two associations, which work locally in the shanty towns of Calcutta.

The Khelo Rugby project is aimed at children as well as young adults, from the slums or underprivileged communities. Playing rugby, which is central to the project, enabled them to develop skills and become aware of fundamental values. But that's not all. We helped them to gain self-confidence so they can become determined and perseverant adults. They might be the Decathlon teammates of tomorrow.

Over 1,500 children (of which 40% are young girls), from 33 different communities, now play rugby thanks to the Khelo Rugby project. We are proud of them, 80% of them continued with their education.

Beyond the sports aspect, Decathlon provides these motivated young people with a springboard. Indeed, 21 of them have been hired as teammates and 11 became interns. Around twenty children were able to take part in the "live my life" experience at the Howrah store, in order to familiarise themselves with the company's daily activities.

My ambition is for Decathlon to hire a hundred or so young graduates from this project, in the next five years. Thanks to the Khelo Rugby and Terra Indica project, many youngsters have joined the company. They develop their self-confidence, their personality and other behavioural skills through sport. We offer them the chance of a better future, whether in sport, education or employment.

Story told by Suresh Ravichandran, Decathlon store manager trainer in East India.

Since 2011, Decathlon India has been working with two associations, Khelo Rugby and Terre Indica, to promote rugby among young children from disadvantaged communities. I've always believed in the power of sport to educate children, especially those from disadvantaged neighborhoods. For me, it's a real driver of social integration and employability. As a trainer for Decathlon store managers, I wanted to get closer to these two associations which work locally in the slums of Calcutta.

The Khelo Rugby project is aimed at children and young adults from slums and disadvantaged communities. The practice of rugby, at the heart of the project, has enabled them to develop skills and raise awareness of fundamental values. But that's not all. We've helped them gain the self-confidence to become determined, persevering adults. They could be the Decathlon team-mates of tomorrow.

More than 1,500 children (40% of them girls) from 33 different communities now play rugby, thanks to the Khelo Rugby project. We're proud of them, and 80% have gone on to further education.

Beyond the sporting aspect, Decathlon serves as a springboard for these motivated young people. Indeed, 21 of them have been recruited as team-mates and 11 have become interns. Some twenty children were able to take part in the "live my life" experience at the Howrath store, to familiarize themselves with the company's day-to-day operations.

My ambition is to employ around a hundred young graduates from this project at Decathlon over the next five years. Thanks to the Khelo Rugby and Terra Indica projects, many children are integrated into society. They develop self-confidence, personality and other behavioral skills through sport. We offer them the chance of a better future, whether in sport, education or employment.

Told by Suresh Ravichandran, trainer of Decathlon store managers in eastern India.