Near the outskirts of Pakistan and Rajasthan lies a small, remote village in Gujarat called Naroli. Isolated, with nothing within a 20-kilometer radius. No transportation. No natural water sources. Life in Naroli is tough. Summers are merciless, temperatures climbing up to 50°C, leaving people to rely on water canons. Agriculture and dairy farming are the twin pillars of livelihoods. Work opportunities are grim, forcing migration to cities in search of employment. The challenging realities leave little room for sport, especially for girls. They are married off young, losing autonomy over their lives. Decisions about a girl’s participation often involve not just her parents but also her in-laws.
During one of these brutal summers, Naroli was introduced to the world of basketball. A seed of confidence, opportunity and dreams was about to be planted. A breakthrough awaited. Hi 5 launched a pilot basketball program at three schools – Uttar Buniyadi Vidyalaya, Pay Center School and Radka Primary School. For most, basketball seemed like a foreign concept – unheard, unimaginable. Yet, there was excitement, curiosity, a spark. Hi 5 was warmly welcomed. Soon, student elections followed and parents were invited to the first official meeting. Families arrived on tractors, making their way – a clear reminder of the rural lifestyle. There was hesitation, especially around enrolling girls. Many parents asked the team to first get the in-laws’ approval—a reflection of how deeply rooted cultural norms were.
The Hi 5 team didn’t give up. Conversations turned into trust. Trust turned into support. And then, the girls came. Under the guidance of Hi 5 coaches, they trained hard. Their confidence grew and so did their dreams. In just two years, something remarkable happened. By 2024, children from Naroli weren’t just learning basketball—they were winning. The village, once unfamiliar with the game, found itself in the spotlight. The State Association Championship extended an invitation. For the first time, Naroli’s name stood tall on a state-level platform. But that wasn’t it. Two students went on to compete in the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) Nationals Trials in Gujarat, finishing in the top 20, an unimaginable feat for children who had picked up a basketball just two years earlier. And the pride didn’t stop there. The impeccable basketball court facilities at Uttar Buniyadi Vidyalaya, built with support from the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, became a hub for district-level competitions, attracting schools from across the region.
Today, the entire community, after witnessing the magic of sport, embraces the game. Parents who once hesitated now cheer the loudest. They see basketball not just as a sport, but as a pathway to a better life.
