About S4UA Foundation
A belief in every child's potential. A commitment to creating opportunity.
S4UA Foundation works with special schools and communities across Maharashtra to create opportunities for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, through adapted sports, coach training and practical support.
Our story
What began with a sports day became a lasting commitment.
Pooja Mehra set out 10 years ago to create sporting opportunities for children with disabilities. A single sports day grew into a longer-term commitment to helping children take part, learn and develop through sport.
The work grew through relationships with special schools, educators, coaches, families and supporters. Over time the focus widened from individual activities to the support that makes participation possible: trained coaches, equipment, suitable spaces and partnerships that last.
- 10 years ago
A sports day
The work begins with one sporting opportunity and a belief that children with disabilities deserve many more.
- Over the years
Schools and partners join
Special schools, coaches, families and supporters join the work, carried out in association with Kai Bapuso N. Z. Marathe Vidhayak Sanstha.
- 2024
Programmes expand
Alongside sports training and events, the work extends to equipment, coach training and sensory room projects.
- 5 August 2026
An independent foundation
S4UA Foundation is independently registered, giving the work its own organisational home.
Our belief
Inclusion becomes meaningful when participation becomes possible.
Children do not all learn, move, communicate or develop skills at the same pace. Every activity we run is adapted to each participant's abilities and support needs.
For us, sport is a pathway to participation, confidence, learning and connection, not only competition or medals. It works best when the environment around a child supports it: trained coaches, supportive educators, the right equipment and school partnerships that continue over time.
Leadership
Pooja Mehra
Founder, S4UA Foundation
A sports day became the beginning of a lasting commitment to creating opportunities for children with disabilities.
Pooja Mehra initiated the work that became S4UA 10 years ago. What began as an effort to create one sporting opportunity developed into a sustained commitment to participation, inclusion and development.
She has built relationships with special schools and supporters and helped connect children with opportunities in sport. As the work grew to include coach training, practical school support and a wider network of partners, she has remained its driving force, working alongside co-founder Bhagwan Talware, the trustees, coaches and school communities.
The Restore Awards 2026
Pooja was one of 15 awardees selected from more than 900 nominations and 102 shortlisted entries.
Bhagwan Talware
Co-founder, S4UA Foundation
Years of running a special school, and strong connections across schools, government systems and sport.
Bhagwan Talware co-founded S4UA with Pooja Mehra. He brings experience of running a special school, along with strong connections with schools, government systems and sporting networks that help the work reach more children.
His trust, Kai Bapuso N. Z. Marathe Vidhayak Sanstha, is S4UA's institutional and compliance partner. For projects undertaken through this association, the Sanstha receives funds, maintains accounts and handles applicable statutory compliance.
Divyang Cricket Control Board of India
Bhagwan serves as Joint President of the DCCBI and President of its Wheelchair Cricket Unit.
Our team
The people who lead and deliver the work.
Alongside our founders, our trustees and coaches bring experience in special education, sport, physiotherapy, community work and business leadership.
Trustees
Providing governance, direction and long-term support for the Foundation.
Manish Mehra
Manish brings over 30 years of business leadership experience across aviation, financial services, retail and fintech. At S4UA he helps strengthen partnerships, mobilise support and build sustainable programmes.
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His career has involved growing businesses, building strategic partnerships, launching new ventures and leading change across diverse industries. His background in strategy and commercial leadership supports the Foundation's efforts to extend its reach and develop lasting relationships with supporters.
Manish is committed to creating opportunities through sports, inclusion and life-skills development. He believes every individual should have the chance to discover their abilities, build confidence, develop independence and participate meaningfully in society.
Abhay Bhagwan Talware
Abhay is a special educator and social worker focused on disability empowerment, inclusive sports and community development. A former national-level boxing and floorball player, he holds a BA in Politics and a Diploma in Education specialising in Intellectual Disability.
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His combination of sport and special education informs his contribution as a trustee, with a focus on making sporting opportunities accessible and responsive to each participant's abilities and support needs.
Abhay also serves as a trustee of Kai Bapuso N. Z. Marathe Vidhayak Sanstha and Kapdane Khadi aur Gramodyog Sanstha. His areas of work include special education, skill development, rehabilitation and social inclusion.
At S4UA, he supports the Foundation's commitment to helping children and young adults with disabilities build skills, confidence and greater participation in their communities.
Coaches
Leading training and school engagement in the districts where we work.
Bhushan Ramesh Marathe
Bhushan is a physiotherapist working with children with disabilities. He coordinates sports training and works with local schools and coaches in Dhule, bringing an approach that considers each child's abilities and physical support needs.
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He holds bachelor's degrees in Physiotherapy and Mechanical Engineering, bringing a background in movement and physical function to his work in inclusive sports.
Bhushan also serves as Area Director for Special Olympics Bharat Maharashtra in Dhule district and as Secretary of Kapdane Khadi aur Gramodyog Sanstha, roles that connect his work in disability support, sports and community development and support S4UA's efforts to create more opportunities for children and young adults in the district.
Nilesh Dattatray Patil
Nilesh is a special educator and sports coach with a Diploma in Education specialising in Intellectual Disability. He also serves as a National Coach with Special Olympics Bharat, Maharashtra.
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At S4UA, he supports sports training for children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, helping them build skills, confidence and participation through activities adapted to their abilities.
He also works as a special teacher at Anath Matimand Mulanche Balgruh, Shirpur, bringing an understanding of children's learning and support needs to his coaching.
Institutional partnership
Our Institutional and Compliance Partner
An ongoing relationship, with a clear role for each organisation.
Kai Bapuso N. Z. Marathe Vidhayak Sanstha
Ongoing partnershipS4UA works in association with Kai Bapuso N. Z. Marathe Vidhayak Sanstha. For projects undertaken through this association, the Sanstha is the legal entity responsible for receiving funds, maintaining accounts and handling applicable statutory compliance, while S4UA leads programme planning, coordination and delivery.
- Receiving funds
- Maintaining accounts
- Handling applicable statutory compliance
- Programme planning
- Coordination with schools and partners
- Programme delivery
S4UA programmes can receive foreign donations through the Sanstha, which is FCRA-registered. Foreign contributions are received and accounted for by the Sanstha.
How to DonateOur growth
Growing through schools, relationships and shared commitment.
From a single sports day to an independently registered foundation working across eight districts of Maharashtra.
-
10 years
of work with schools, coaches, families and supporters
-
45+
special schools reached
-
2,000+
children reached
-
8
districts across urban, rural and tribal Maharashtra
- Organisation
- S4UA Foundation (Sports for Unique Athletes Foundation)
- Registered on
- 5 August 2026
- Based in
- Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Institutional partner
- Kai Bapuso N. Z. Marathe Vidhayak Sanstha
Districts our work has reached
- Mumbai City
- Mumbai Suburban
- Thane
- Palghar
- Raigad
- Pune
- Solapur
- Dhule
Support differs according to the needs of each school and community.
See Our ImpactWhat guides us
The values behind every opportunity we create.
These shape how we plan, make decisions and work alongside schools.
Dignity
Every child deserves to be treated with respect and recognised for their individuality.
Inclusion
Participation should be shaped around people's needs, not restricted by assumptions about what they can do.
Individual progress
Learning, confidence and development look different for every child. Each meaningful step matters.
Collaboration
Special schools, educators, coaches, families, supporters and communities all contribute to lasting opportunities.
Practical action
We respond to real needs, whether that means training, equipment, appropriate spaces or longer-term support.
Long-term thinking
The aim is to strengthen local capacity and create support that continues beyond a single event.
Partnerships
Lasting work takes a collective effort.
S4UA has grown because many people and organisations share the work, from school staff and coaches to companies, foundations and service clubs.
Partnership in every part of the work
Schools know their children best. Coaches and teacher-coaches keep sessions going. Supporters provide the resources, equipment and connections that let the work reach more children.
Coaches and teacher-coaches
Leading regular sessions and building skills within schools.
Special educators and school staff
Knowing each child's routines, communication and needs.
Families
Encouraging participation beyond the school day.
Local organisations
Helping the work reach schools in different districts.
Volunteers and professionals
Contributing time and skills, with appropriate guidance.
Supporters and partners
Providing resources, equipment and valuable connections.
- Rotary Seacoast
- Muthoot
- Sun Petro
- TTEC
- Inner Wheel
- ARC Chemicals
- SBM
- Ajmera
- Gain Access
- Celebration Sports Club
Rotary Seacoast and Muthoot have supported our sensory and therapy room projects, while SBM and Ajmera support our district programmes in Palghar and Dhule.
What we do
Five areas of work, with sport at the centre.
Each programme has its own page explaining the need, what we do, where, its current status and how you can help.
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Ongoing
Sports & Athlete Development
Adapted sports, strength and conditioning, and chances to take part in events.
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Ongoing
Coach Training & District Support
Workshops for coaches and teachers, with district-level follow-up.
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Ongoing projects
Sensory & Therapy Rooms
Equipped school spaces for guided sensory activities and therapy.
-
Partly planned
School Infrastructure
Improving school spaces where there is a clear need.
-
Developing
Livelihoods & Independence
Practical skills and vocational opportunities for young adults, beginning in Dhule.
Ongoing means the work is running in schools now. Developing and partly planned mean it is being built step by step with local partners.
The road ahead
Building stronger support for the opportunities still to come.
Our next chapter is about deepening and extending the support around children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A coach network reaching every tribal area of Maharashtra
Greater support for special schools
Appropriate sports, sensory and therapy spaces
Work with local partners across underserved areas
More opportunities for young adults to build practical skills and independence
Support that continues beyond any single activity or event
Planned facilities and new initiatives depend on local needs, suitable partners, sites and resources. We will share progress as it happens.
Be part of the work
There is more than one way to help create opportunity.
Through time, skills, school connections, resources or a longer-term partnership, you can help strengthen the support available to children and young adults in special schools.
