Shaktipreneur in Spotlight: Priyal Keni (Founder, Play and Shine Foundation)

“Every child has the right to shine in their careers and lives, and sports is the best way to make that happen,” says Priyal Keni, Shaktipreneur in Spotlight and Founder of Play and Shine Foundation. 

Play and Shine Foundation is a nonprofit organization that functions at the grassroots level to build a sports culture where every individual receives the right mentorship to nurture and grow through sports.

The inspiration behind the project

Priyal is an International athlete and was part of the Indian Rifle shooting team for 7 years.

“Those were undoubtedly the most transformational years of my life,” she says, nostalgically.

Priyal loves sports and passionately feels that making sports accessible for children from less privileged backgrounds is vital for their holistic development. This thought motivated her to work toward the cause.

“Our mission is that every child should grow and reach their full potential,” she adds.

Journey as an entrepreneur

Priyal regularly volunteered during college where she encountered children from less privileged backgrounds. Keni noticed that they knew nothing about sports. Being an active sports person herself, she found this disheartening. Keni did comprehensive research and discovered the dismal situation of sports in India.

That led her to launch the Play and Shine Foundation, 4 years ago, to build a sports culture where every individual receives the right mentorship and support to nurture and grow through sports. The Foundation conducts workshops and tournaments to create a holistic environment and enhance the spirit of learning and development.

“I have learned a lot in a short period. I never thought we would come this far,” she says.

Priyal’s journey has been full of highs and lows, but she has no regrets. 

“I have got the chance to test my resilience towards working for something I am passionate about, and growing as an individual along the way,” she adds.

Impact of the organization

Play & Shine Foundation has worked with 500 + volunteers across 10 states pan India. They have touched the lives of more than 4,000 children from underprivileged communities through sports for development projects with TATA Sustainability Group, Teach for India, Decathlon, Robin Hood Army, C.R.Y, Education Board of Maharashtra etc.

The team

The Play and Shine Foundation has a core team comprising international athletes. They also have a growing community of volunteers.

“Our love for sports and our passion for making sports accessible to children is what connects us,” she adds.

Future plans

The foundation is working on expanding across more states and focusing on building more programs. Their vision is to have an outreach of more than 1 million individuals by the end of 2023.

“Girls in Sports” is a program that aims to work towards bridging the gender divide through sports. 

“Taking our partnership with the Government of Maharashtra ahead, we look forward to working with local schools that lack sports facilities and infrastructure in the coming year,” she adds.

Advice to new entrepreneurs

Priyal feels that being an entrepreneur is like solving a jigsaw puzzle where you make several mistakes before the pieces fall into place.

“Sometimes, all you need is an idea, and the rest gets figured out as you progress,” she says.

Her advice to the new entrepreneurs is that they should not procrastinate.

“There is no perfect time. The key is in just getting started. Trust the process and take the leap of faith,” she adds.

Journey as a Shaktipreneur

Priyal feels that incubation programs play a pivotal role for budding entrepreneurs, as they impart the right direction for the startups to develop.

Priyal was looking for mentors and incubation programs focused on social entrepreneurship and found STEP on LinkedIn. She felt that it was a perfect match for her requirements.

“The entire program is well customized and tailor-made keeping the entrepreneur at the centre. STEP strategically works with entrepreneurs on case-by-case business-specific challenges,” she says.

Structured fundraising was one of the biggest challenges faced by Priyal before joining STEP.

“I rendered countless pitches, cold emailing, and texting to get funding. It was a very haphazard approach with no surety of long-term sustainability,” she says.

“I worked with the STEP team and my mentor to formulate a fundraising strategy and its implementation. I accomplished my goal by the end of the 6-month program,” she adds.

Priyal’s favourite learning session was storytelling. She feels it is a crucial tool to win people and build relationships. Priyal believes that finding the right mentor at the right time is a crucial success factor.

“I was lucky to have a mentor who worked in the same field and had the same career trajectory as me. It helped us connect at a deeper level,” she adds.

Priyal’s key takeaway from STEP is the community. “The program provides a safe ecosystem where you can share your vulnerabilities as an entrepreneur. I am still in touch with the STEP team, and I will support them in every way I can,” she says fondly.

Priyal believes that the grant disbursement process at STEP was fair and transparent. She will use the grant to implement a sports development program with the Government of Maharashtra.

“I would like to advise women reading this- JUST APPLY! You are one application away from a transformative 6 months where you get a chance to grow with the best team and learn from your peers and mentors,” she says.

Priyal, the person

Priyal is fond of books on personal growth and development. “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” by Dr Joseph Murphy had the most impact on her. Keni draws inspiration from her mother, who motivated her to pursue her dreams and believe in herself.

A quote that is the mantra of her life is, “You are you, and that  is your superpower.”