Mumbai, 5th March 2025: The 6th Annual Habitat Charity Golf Tournament is set to bring together corporate leaders, celebrities and golf enthusiasts on 7th March 2025 at the prestigious Willingdon Sports Club in Mumbai. Organised by Habitat for Humanity India, a leading housing non-profit organisation, this annual charity event continues its mission of driving social change through the power of sport, supporting decent housing for underprivileged families across India.
Since 1983, Habitat for Humanity India has served over 3.6 million people through its housing, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and disaster response initiatives. Over the past four decades, the organisation has helped more than 57,000 families build or repair homes, constructed sanitation units for over 73,000 families and supported over 1.46 million people through disaster response efforts. The past five charity golf tournaments alone have directly impacted more than 300 families, providing them with better living conditions and the dignity that comes with having a secure home.
Beyond the Golf Course: A Mission of Hope and Transformation
This year’s tournament brings together an exceptional lineup of sports icons and business leaders united in their commitment to making a difference. Indian golf and cricket legends — Mr. Shiv Kapur, a four-time Asian Tour-winning golfer and 2002 Arjuna Awardee; Mr. Murali Vijay, former Indian cricketer; and former Indian cricketers-turned-commentators Mr. Kartik Murali and Mr. S. Badrinath — will take part in the event to champion Habitat for Humanity’s mission. They will be joined by prominent corporate leaders including Mr. Gopal Ramakrishnan (Managing Director, Goodrich Maritime), Mr. Hemang Dharamshi (Managing Director, Dharamshi Securities), Mr. Arjun Nohwar (Country General Manager, India and South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery), Mr. Nikhil Srivastava (Partner and Managing Director, Head of India Private Equity at PAG) and Ms. Dierdre D’Cunha (Director – Teryair Equipment Pvt. Ltd.) to support the cause of safe and decent housing for all.
As the tournament takes place just ahead of International Women’s Day celebrated on March 8th, it also serves as a tribute to the resilience of women who turn houses into homes. Women are often the pillars of their families, struggling against the odds to provide a safe and secure environment for their children. A decent home can be a lifeline, offering them stability, safety and a chance to rebuild their futures.
Mr. Anand Kumar Bolimera, National Director, Habitat for Humanity India, emphasised the broader impact of the tournament: “This event is not just about playing golf — it is about playing golf for a cause and creating a lasting impact. Over the years, we have provided hundreds of families with a stable foundation on which they can build their future. Last year, for example, we constructed climate-resilient homes for 15 Katkari tribal families in Pune’s Khed block, empowering them with secure housing. We have witnessed the transformation that decent housing brings — children who can now study under a proper roof, mothers who no longer have to worry about the safety of their children and communities that thrive with dignity.”
He added, “For many women, a home is more than just bricks and mortar — it is the key to economic independence and leadership in their communities. The stories of transformation we witness are deeply moving — from families who no longer live in fear of extreme weather to mothers who can now focus on their children’s education rather than mere survival. This year, we are rallying support to build homes for tribal families in Palghar, Maharashtra, furthering our commitment to the Government’s vision of ‘Housing for All’.”
The 6th edition of the Habitat for Humanity Charity Golf Tournament is supported by Minosha India Limited; ValueQuest Investment Advisors Pvt. Ltd.; Transformia Advisors LLP; Ramakrishnan Foundation; Chemical Process Piping Pvt. Limited; along with Out of Office by Cleartrip as the Travel Partner; Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai as the Hospitality Partner; StayVista as the Holiday Partner; The Pant Project as the Apparel Partner and Zaverchand Sports as the Equipment Partner. The tournament stands as a testament to what can be achieved when compassionate corporate citizens and sports personalities unite for social good. As participants gather at the prestigious Willingdon Sports Club, they will contribute not just to a sporting event but to a movement that changes lives fundamentally. Every swing on the golf course will help build foundations for vulnerable families in need of decent shelter, creating a legacy of empowerment that extends far beyond the tournament itself.
Stories of Strength and Resilience: How Decent Housing Transforms Lives
The impact of Habitat for Humanity India’s work is best reflected in the stories of women like Smt. Sarika Pawar and Smt. Vidya More, who have overcome immense challenges to build better lives for their families.
Sarika, a resident of Karanjkalla village in Maharashtra’s Dharashiv district, lost her husband in 2014. Left to care for three children and elderly in-laws, Sarika struggled to make ends meet. Ridden with debt and no stable housing, her family’s future seemed uncertain. However, with support from Habitat for Humanity India, she was able to build a secure home, giving her family the stability they desperately needed.
Sarika’s journey did not stop there. Determined to uplift others in her community, she became the president of the Sangharsh Mahila Bachat Gat, a Self-Help Group (SHG) that empowers women through entrepreneurship. Today, Sarika’s group runs a local dairy business and produces Khoya, a dairy product sold to local bakeries, providing sustainable livelihoods to many women in her village.
“Habitat For Humanity India taught us to be independent, to stand on our own. I am proud of who I have become,” says Sarika, who now dreams of providing her children with quality education and a brighter future.
Vidya, hailing from from Dharashiv district, was left to fend for herself and her children after her husband’s untimely death. With mounting debts and no proper shelter, she took on farming and tailoring jobs to survive. Habitat for Humanity India helped her build a permanent home, giving her family the security they longed for.
Vidya didn’t stop there. She established the Jhanshi Chi Rani Women’s Self-Help Group, starting with savings of just ₹25 per member. With Habitat’s support, the group set up a Dal mill, allowing them to process and sell locally grown lentils, which boosted their income. Today, the SHG has expanded into flour production, creating new economic opportunities for many women in the community.
“Habitat helped me build a home of my own and along with that restored my dignity,” Vidya says. “Now, we have a steady income and my son is pursuing a diploma in agriculture. Our home and our business have given us a new lease on life.”
Through initiatives like the Habitat Charity Golf Tournament, more families like Sarika’s and Vidya’s will have the opportunity to build safe, decent homes and secure a future filled with hope. This event is not just about golf — it is about changing lives, one home at a time.
