Vandana Dadel kicks off a football match at the launch of the education programme in Ranchi on Tuesday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

After a run in distant Silli, Magic Bus has now rolled into the state capital.

Magic Bus India Foundation, a Mumbai-based NGO that promotes education through sports and currently looks after 250,000 marginalised children in India, is extending its services to Ranchi.

South Chotanagpur commissioner-cum-state sports secretary Vandana Dadel launched the Magic Bus education programme at Hatma Basti, a slum behind Ranchi College, on Tuesday.

The NGO distributed sports kit and uniforms among 50 boys and girls selected under the first phase of the project. The children played a football match at Hatma grounds to mark the occasion.

“Initially, our educational initiative will cover 1,000 poor boys and girls in the age group of 7-15 years from four localities — Hatma, Latma, Jorar and Jagannathpur,” said Aveek Swarnkar, Magic Bus state head for Jharkhand.

The NGO will mentor the children in three stages — learning, leading and earning.

“Our target is to reach out to all marginalised boys and girls in the state capital in next three years,” Swarnkar added.