Launch of Sehat & Soul: transforming children's wellbeing through sport in Pakistan
With the support of the UEFA Foundation for Children, the British Asian Trust is proud to launch Sehat & Soul - an ambitious new initiative set to transform access to inclusive sport and mental health support for underserved children across Pakistan. By bringing together movement and mental wellbeing, the project will help children not only play, but build confidence, resilience and a stronger sense of belonging both inside and beyond the classroom.
Across Pakistan, millions of children, especially, girls, children with disabilities and children from underserved communities face significant barriers to participating in sport. As a result, they are excluded from the powerful physical, emotional and social benefits that sport can offer, reinforcing cycles of inequality. Since 2021, our project partner Jawaan Champions has expanded access to sport in more than 280 schools nationwide, prioritising low-resource areas of Karachi and reaching marginalised children, including girls, minorities, children with disabilities and those without parental care.
Building on this proven foundation, Sehat & Soul will reach 39,750 children and 530 educators across 265 schools in Karachi. Drawing on the British Asian Trust’s more than a decade of mental health leadership in Pakistan, alongside Jawaan Champions’ expertise in inclusive sport, the project will embed structured mental wellbeing support directly into school-based sports programming.
From cricket and football to rounders and athletics, Sehat & Soul will deliver regular, inclusive sports activities across participating schools. Each school will receive specialised sports kitbags to ensure that every child has the opportunity to take part. Teachers will be trained to lead engaging sports sessions, with activities integrated into school curricula and timetables to ensure sustainability. Schools will also host inclusive competitions, identifying ‘Rising Stars’ for continued coaching and development beyond the life of the project.
In 20 pilot schools, dedicated Mental Health Champions will be trained to deliver awareness sessions and connect children to appropriate mental health services, establishing a continuum of care within school environments. The project represents a scalable model that has the potential to reshape how schools across Pakistan approach sport and student wellbeing.
Speaking about the project, Kamyla Marvi Tapal, the British Asian Trust’s Executive Director in Pakistan, said: “We are truly excited to partner with the UEFA Foundation for Children as we launch Sehat & Soul. For over 10 years, the British Asian Trust has worked to transform Pakistan’s mental health landscape - reducing stigma, strengthening access through primary healthcare, and building coalitions for systemic change. We now want to bring children and youth into the heart of our approach. This new initiative brings that experience into schools, embedding mental wellbeing support within inclusive sport so that every child can learn, play and flourish.”
Our partner, Jawaan Champions, affirmed: “At Jawaan Champions, we have seen first-hand how sport can unlock confidence, discipline and belonging for children who are too often left out. Sehat & Soul takes this a step further by intentionally integrating mental wellbeing into school sports. This partnership allows us to deepen our impact across Karachi, ensuring that girls, children with disabilities and those from underserved communities not only play, but feel seen, supported and empowered. We are proud to work alongside the British Asian Trust and the UEFA Foundation for Children to build school environments where every child can thrive.”
As children and young people across Pakistan increasingly engage in conversations around mental health, Sehat & Soul seeks to nurture a generation of wellbeing champions - young leaders who will help foster healthier, more inclusive school communities for years to come. We are deeply grateful to the UEFA Foundation for Children for their generous support and look forward to the transformative impact this initiative will create for underserved children across Karachi.