Madanpura has produced many international footballers, such as Mohammad Yusuf Ansari and Aqueel Ansari. The locality now gets a small artificial turf to train young footballers and build on its historic past.

OSCAR Foundation, an NGO, launched its first-ever community football pitch at the Mohd. Umar Rajjab MPS School in Madanpura, Mumbai, as part of the Healthy Goals Programme, which is supported by Mumbai City FC as a technical partners.

“It marks a major milestone in its mission to empower youth through football and education. This initiative is part of the 'Healthy Goals Programme,” the event organisers said.

“This ground has produced many international and national players. Many of those including me are now corporate organisations and clubs,” said Nasir Hussian Ansari, who played for Bombay Muslim Sports Club as a forward and later switched to Central Bank where he is now into coaching. He is also serving as Vice President of the Mumbai Football Association.

Nasir who is the younger brother of former India goalkeeper and Air India veteran Yusuf Ansari, recollected. “We got football from father Mohd Yaqub Ansari who trained at the very ground. Then we also played here, it was full of dust and stones. We played barefoot or got shoes from the nearby Chor Bazar. There were no facilities, we lost a lot of blood and sweat here. Now we have turf here and it is an opportunity for the local youngsters but they need to have passion for football to excel,” he said.

Also present were yesteryear veterans, Sadique Ansari (State Bank of India). The area also produced well-known Mumbai footballers like Tausif Jamal Ansari, Kashif Jamal Ansari, and Arif Ansari. The area has carried on with football legacy by producing players like Kamran Ansari, Armash Ansari, Arfat Ansari and Zaid Ansari have already represented the state at some level.

Through the Healthy Goals Programme, the Mohammed Umar Rajjab School will become the first in Madanpura to offer structured football and life skills sessions, along with leadership training for children and youth from the community. This initiative by Oscar Foundation marks a significant step in empowering the youth of the area with quality sports infrastructure and essential life skills.

The Healthy Goals programme will continue to raise funds and utilize football as a tool to improve the health of young Mumbaikars. By providing access to quality sports infrastructure, the program aims to make a lasting impact on communities and create a healthier, more active generation.

“We are excited about this partnership with OSCAR Foundation on the opening of their first ground under the Healthy Goals Programme. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to using football as a force for good, ensuring that young people have access to safe spaces to play and grow. We aim to reach and support healthier communities through the influence of football, benefiting both the children and the school at large. We look forward to continuing our efforts with OSCAR Foundation in building more pitches and expanding our reach to more communities in need," Kandarp Chandra, CEO of Mumbai City FC, commented.

Ashok Rathod, CEO and Founder, OSCAR Foundation, said, “It brings me great joy to see this beautiful ground open for the children of Madanpura. Developed under the Healthy Goals program in partnership with Mumbai City FC, this world-class facility will provide young players with a high-quality space to hone their skills, instill positive values, and encourage a spirit of harmony. We are confident that this turf will not only nurture budding talent but also serve as a launchpad for the superstars of tomorrow.”