India Calling
FRANZ GASTLER [ 30]
Executive and Founder, Yuwa, Jharkhand Meet Gastler, a former Harvard Law School graduate and business consultant who founded Yuwa, a girls’ soccer league in Jharkhand in 2009 with 15 volunteers.
FIRST MOVE When Suman, a student, insisted Gastler teach her football, he agreed on the condition that she gather enough girls to make a team. The seed of an idea was planted in his mind, which later grew into the concept for Yuwa.
SOCIAL MOTIVE Football helps players gain enough confidence to challenge the social script of gender inequality. Gastler learned that teamwork on the football field could go a long way towards instilling confidence in young girls.
ENCOURAGING MOVE Once a player achieves four months’ attendance, she becomes eligible for a pair of football boots. However, she still has to contribute a third of the price. For a girl whose parents have never given her more than a few rupees at a time, this condition demands both creativity and drive.
STEPPING STONE In less than a year, 13 of Yuwa's girls ensured Jharkhand’s national ranking in women’s football rose from 20th place to 4th.
CURRENT EXPLORATION Yuwa recently started a camp in Dharavi, Mumbai with two female coaches from Jharkhand leading the way. 25 girls are part of this programme with an aim to include 70 by the end of 2012.
NEXT MOVE A football and education centre is being set up where Gastler and his team would continue their mission to educate and empower girls from rural villages. A centre, which can accommodate upto 1,000 children, is presently under construction.
INVESTING PILLARS Gastler has raised $ 92,000 from investors and recently received a $ 25,000 Nike- sponsored ( NKE) grant for a new sports facility. More information available at
We place more importance on someone’s work record than simply focusing on academic qualifications”
Career wise “This sector always requires manpower in various forms but besides monetary compensation it is important for an individual to understand the kind of impact his work can have on the lives of others,” Gastler says.
Power moment This three- year- old NGO has scooped up a host of awards and found favour with committed sponsors for finding an innovative way to make a big difference.