Thiruvananthapuram: Alliance Services India has launched the ninth edition of Venda Cup 2026 – Game for Safe (Substance Abuse-Free Environment), Kerala’s largest school-level football tournament aimed at creating awareness against substance abuse among children and youth.
Organised as a CSR initiative in partnership with the Fourth Wave Foundation, the state-level tournament commenced at the Jimmy George Sports Hub, Thiruvananthapuram. The launch included the Fair Play Pledge, Anti-Drug Pledge and unveiling of the official jerseys and championship trophies.
Inaugurating the tournament, Ramesh Chennithala, Minister for Home and Vigilance, said initiatives such as Venda Cup play an important role in supporting the fight against substance abuse. “The objectives of Operation Toofan and Venda Cup are the same; only the approach is different,” he said, urging continued efforts towards making Kerala drug-free.
O.J. Janeesh, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, highlighted the role of sports in preventing substance abuse, saying children should be encouraged to say ‘no’ to drugs and ‘yes’ to sports.
The tournament will feature 1,600 players from 160 school teams representing all 14 districts of Kerala. Competitions will be held across four zones – Kannur, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam – during September and October, followed by the state championship in Ernakulam on October 23 and 24.
The tournament will also recognise sportsmanship through Fair Play Player and Fair Play Team awards. Venda Cup, a programme under the Fourth Wave Foundation’s Project Venda, has been recognised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as a model for preventive interventions against substance abuse.
Jeason John, CEO and Managing Director, Alliance Services India, said, “Venda Cup is one of the initiatives through which we give back to Kerala. We believe confidence in tomorrow is built through action, not words.”
Alliance Services India will also collaborate with the Fourth Wave Foundation through its employee groups Tharang and Sparsh to create awareness materials including mimes, rap songs, comic books and short films promoting safe and healthy habits among schoolchildren and the public.
