People Behind The Magic

With an MBA in Marketing from D.Y. Patil College and over seven years of experience in the Ed-tech industry, Arpan brings a strong background in education-focused marketing. His belief that education is a lifelong gift has guided his career path and now, at Hi 5, he’s excited to support a mission that combines education with the transformative power of sport for underprivileged children.

Arpan is passionate about creating impact through meaningful work, and he values Hi 5’s commitment to holistic development. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and trekking, always eager to explore new places and perspectives.

Chinmay Jadhav’s journey in basketball began with the Hi 5 Youth Foundation, where he gained a comprehensive understanding of the sport. Originally from a football background, he gradually developed a strong appreciation for basketball. He holds a Master’s degree in Sports Management and thrives on being actively involved on the field. A former district-level football player with a passion for outdoor activities, Chinmay is committed to promoting sports across India. His focus lies in inspiring and nurturing young talent, creating meaningful opportunities for children to realize their potential, and fostering a lifelong love for sports.

Madhusudhan leads Operations and Program Delivery across Telangana at Hi 5, supporting the mission to empower underprivileged children through basketball. With 10 years of experience across NGO and startup sectors and experience in agriculture, education, skill development, and environmental projects, he brings a strong understanding of CSR project management and training, having worked closely with students, rural communities, government officials, and teams on the ground. At Hi 5, Madhusudhan focuses on making basketball a meaningful platform for learning, life skills, and social development across the region.
He is committed to building programs that are effective, inclusive, and focused on long-term impact.

With a Master's in Sports Management, Prakalp brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Their diverse interests include traveling, reading, and playing basketball, reflecting a well-rounded and dynamic personality.

Having accumulated 2.5 years of experience as a Junior Associate at Sportz Interactive, where he worked with D11 on fantasy sports operations, Prakalp has honed their skills in the sports industry. His deep passion for basketball has led them to the Hi 5 Youth Foundation, where they can fulfill their dream of being involved in basketball grassroots development programs. Prakalp is dedicated to helping the younger generation achieve their dreams through basketball, making a significant impact on their lives and future.

Asfa Siddiqui is a postgraduate in Management from the Institute of Management Technology with over 13 years of experience in the social development sector. She has successfully led cross-functional teams on large-scale projects, working extensively with children in education, skill-to-livelihood programs, and health and sanitation initiatives.

At Hi 5 Youth Foundation, Asfa is deeply committed to advancing a mission that combines education with the transformative power of sport for underprivileged children. Her focus is on enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring quality standards, and fostering strong partnerships with communities and the BMC Department.

Mohammed Faizan is a versatile professional with around a decade of experience in Sales, Key Account Management, Business Development, CSR, Resource Mobilization, and Strategic Partnerships.

He holds an MBA in Marketing, along with D.Ed. and B.Ed. qualifications, bringing a multidisciplinary blend of business, education, and social-impact expertise.

Faizan has worked with Flipkart and IndiaMART, two of India’s leading e-commerce and B2B platforms, where he developed expertise in client acquisition, key account management, sales, business development, and relationship management. At MESCO, he served as Head – Resource Mobilization, focusing on partnerships, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement.

Currently, as Senior Manager – CSR & Partnerships at Hi 5 Youth Foundation, he leads corporate outreach, CSR partnerships, business development, and fundraising initiatives.

With his diverse experience across corporate sales, education, CSR, and social impact, Faizan is a multi-faceted professional passionate about building relationships, driving growth, and creating meaningful impact.

Harshada has been working with Hi 5 Youth Foundation for the past 10 years in the capacity of an Accountant, handling Finance and Office Administration. Since childhood, she always wanted to extend her professional efforts in the NGO sector, and she chose Hi 5 because she believes the organization is brightening the lives of underprivileged children and securing their future by training them in basketball.

She strongly believes that basketball can be played by anyone in many different ways; it builds friendships and connections both on and off the court. For her, teamwork is the only way to succeed and win. She values sportsmanship and believes that having a positive attitude makes playing the game enjoyable.

Through her 10 years of dedication at Hi 5, Harshada has combined her professional expertise with her personal passion for social impact, contributing to an organization that empowers children and helps them build a brighter future through sport.

Shubhangi was an accountant/data coordinator before joining Hi 5 in 2018 as a data coordinator. Apart from work, she likes to read books in her free time.

A dedicated Social Work professional with a Master’s in Social Work from VIT Vellore, Jayasurya brings over two years of hands on experience in oncology, psychiatry, and community-based settings. As a former Programme Coordinator at Make-A-Wish Foundation, he led impactful initiatives with a focus on child welfare and operational excellence.

His core strengths lie in programme planning, cross-functional coordination, stakeholder engagement, and grassroots execution. Known for his empathy and people management skills, he is passionate about youth development and believes in creating equitable opportunities through sport.

At Hi 5 Youth Foundation, he is focused on enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring quality control, and strengthening community ties. With a deep commitment to child-centric work, he is excited to contribute meaningfully to Hi 5’s mission of changing lives through play.

Neha Gurav is an IT professional with over three years of experience across the IT services sector and the textile industry. Prior to joining Hi 5, she worked at a tech startup and a textile machinery sales company. She holds a B.Tech in Textile Technology from VJTI, Mumbai.

As a scholarship recipient and alumna of Avanti Fellows and Kotak Education Foundation, Neha strongly believes in the power of higher education and the role of mentorship in shaping young lives. Introduced to Hi 5 through her mentor, she is proud to be part of an organization that combines sports and education to create opportunities for underprivileged children.

Curious by nature and always eager to learn, Neha enjoys exploring new ideas, and in her free time, she loves watching anime.

Bhakti Ingale holds a Master's degree in Sports Management. Throughout her studies, she participated in various internships, gaining practical knowledge in operations, event management, and sales. Bhakti is also a national-level basketball player, having played since the 5th grade. She interned with Khelo India, enriching her experience in sports management. Outside of her professional pursuits, Bhakti enjoys exploring her adventurous side through trekking and finds solace in music, making her a well-rounded individual passionate about both sports and personal enrichment.

With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Sports Management, Mahek combines academic insight with practical experience in the sports field. A former athlete who represented her school in various tournaments, Mahek’s passion for sports is profound. Over the past two years, she has worked throughout the sports industry and has been involved with several high-profile leagues, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Tennis Premier League, and the MI Junior Tournament, among others.

Suraj Sharma has completed a Master’s degree in Sports Management and brings three years of experience in the sports industry. With a deep passion for sports, particularly football, he finds a strong sense of belonging when engaged on the field and witnessing the game firsthand. Since joining Hi 5 Youth Foundation, he considers himself fortunate to contribute to an organization that has a meaningful impact on the lives of young children.

Preeti holds a Master’s in Social Work, specialising in Community Organisation and Development Practice, from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Her academic and field experiences have taken her close to communities and given her an understanding of how people, institutions, and systems come together to shape development.
She believes sport has the power to bring people together and create spaces where young people can discover possibilities beyond what they may have imagined for themselves.
Outside work, Preeti loves reading, adventure, exploring new places, and is always open to learning something new.

Taslim’s journey with basketball began when he was a child.
Back then, basketball was simply a sport he loved. He enjoyed being on the court, playing with his friends, and learning the game. He never imagined that basketball would one day become such an important part of his life and career.
As he grew, basketball taught him much more than just how to play. It taught him discipline, teamwork, consistency, leadership, and the importance of never giving up.
Eventually, his journey brought him to Hi5 Youth Foundation. Here, basketball became more than just a sport. It became an opportunity for Taslim to work with children, coaches, schools, and teams.
He began understanding what happens behind the scenes — how programs are managed, how coaches are supported, how centres are operated, and how tournaments and events are executed.
With every new responsibility, Taslim learned something new. He developed his communication, decision-making, leadership, and ability to take ownership.
Looking back, the child who first picked up a basketball could never have imagined where the game would take him.
From playing on the court to managing operations behind the court, Taslim has come a long way.
His journey is a reflection of how a passion can evolve into a profession, and how every experience can shape a person’s future.
Basketball gave him the foundation. Hi5 gave him the opportunity. And every experience along the way has helped shape the person he is today.

A passionate and driven young professional with a Master’s degree in Business Organization and a year of experience as an MIS Executive. Alongside her professional role, she has been actively involved in tutoring, where she discovered a genuine joy in working with children. She thrives in positive work environments and values being surrounded by good people and meaningful work. Known for her sincerity and willingness to learn, she is eager to grow both personally and professionally.

Tejas has been passionate about basketball since 2015, building his experience as both a player and a referee. His journey with the sport has given him a strong understanding of the game and reinforced his interest in creating quality sporting experiences for children.

Darshan Koli is a digital marketing professional with over 6 years of experience across social media, paid advertising, content, SEO, and digital platforms. At Hi 5 Youth Foundation, he contributes to the organisation’s digital presence by managing social media, creating content, supporting paid campaigns, and overseeing website updates. With a hands-on approach to digital marketing, Darshan also brings experience in content writing, photography, and video shoots, helping bring stories and initiatives to life across platforms. Passionate about creative communication and purpose-driven work, he enjoys finding new ways to connect audiences with meaningful stories and amplify the impact of Hi 5’s work.

Pramila is a dedicated professional who recently joined the Hi 5 Youth Foundation as an ESL Teacher in March 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree, bringing nine years of teaching experience at the primary and middle school levels. Previously, she played a pivotal role as a teacher and Coordinator at Kotak Education Foundation, where she excelled in supporting classroom functions, lesson planning, and enhancing both individual and group learning environments.

Passionate about education, Pramila is committed to creating engaging learning experiences that empower students, whom she views as the builders of tomorrow's society. Outside of her career, she enjoys activities such as shopping, dancing, listening to music, and playing chess, which contribute to her balanced approach to life and work.

Genevieve holds an MA in Sociology and English Literature, a BA in Sociology, and a B.Ed in History and English, showcasing her strong academic foundation. With practical experience as Assistant Professor at Reena Mehta College, Primary Section Supervisor at God's Angels School, and Class Teacher at DSRV School, she brings a diverse perspective to education. Genevieve also contributes to digital content creation at Edozo and serves as a private tutor for HSC girls at Snehasadhan Girls Orphanage, reflecting her commitment to both educational innovation and community support.

Digvijay Singh has been associated with basketball for over 20 years, with extensive experience as both a player and coach. He represented his university at the All India University level and has continued to develop his expertise through formal education and professional coaching programs.

He completed his graduation from Burdwan University and also completed a 42-day NIS coaching course in 2014. With 12 years of coaching experience, he has worked with athletes at different levels, helping them develop their basketball skills, discipline, confidence, and understanding of the game.

He has also had the opportunity to serve as a West Bengal National Team Coach on two occasions, gaining valuable experience in competitive basketball and player development.

He has been associated with Hi5 Youth Foundation for the past 7 years, where he continues to contribute to the development of young players through basketball. His passion is to use basketball as a tool to build not only better athletes, but also disciplined, confident, and responsible individuals.

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Dattaraj Bramhnekar holds an MA and B.P.Ed, bringing extensive experience to the basketball field. With 9 years of playing and 5 years of coaching, his passion for basketball has always been his life and mission. Dattaraj dreams of being a good, helpful, and hardworking coach, believing that coaching is a service through which we can serve future generations by imparting good role models, thoughts, and many interesting life lessons. He is thankful to Hi 5 Youth Foundation for providing the opportunity to cultivate his interest and develop his coaching skills.

Karanti Bhupathirao joined Hi 5 Youth Foundation in 2019 as a coach in Telangana at the Krushi Home center. Over the past five years, he has been immensely grateful for this journey. He believes that he has provided him with an incredible platform to pursue his passion for coaching, significantly shaping both his professional and personal life. He has learned valuable lessons that have been essential for his growth, particularly from the motivation and guidance of his seniors. They have taught him important life skills, including professional development, addressing personal challenges, and maintaining a positive demeanor. Bhupathi is deeply thankful to Hi 5 Youth Foundation for this life-changing experience.

Ajinkya Dayme brings 18 years of basketball and field experience, complemented by 8 years of coaching. As a state-level national camp participant and a state gold medalist, his accomplishments reflect his dedication and skill in the sport. Hailing from Nagpada, a locality renowned for its rich basketball history, Ajinkya's passion for the game runs deep. He loves working with kids and aims to ensure that every child experiences the thrill of victory. His ultimate dream is to coach a national team, sharing his expertise and love for basketball on a grand stage.

Kapil Sawant is a passionate basketball coach with over 12 years of experience in the sport, including 7 years as a player and 5 years as a coach. Currently serving as the Senior Coach at Hi5 Youth Foundation, he is dedicated to developing young athletes, fostering teamwork, and inspiring a lifelong love for basketball.

Kapil holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed.), combining academic knowledge with practical coaching expertise. Before pursuing coaching full-time, he prepared for competitive examinations, which strengthened his discipline, perseverance, and commitment to personal growth.

Beyond basketball, Kapil has a keen interest in sports, follows football passionately, and enjoys travelling and music. His coaching philosophy focuses not only on improving athletic performance but also on building confidence, character, and leadership in every player he mentors.