The development grants were created by the Commission to achieve its mission of "encouraging people everywhere to participate in regular physical activity and to promote the health and social benefits of sport".

It is also in keeping with the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC's strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, which was approved in December 2014.

With a global network of sport-for-development projects, Boxgirls Kenya was one winner of a grant.

The project uses boxing "as a catalyst for social change and a tool of empowerment for women and girls" in the African country.

The football based not-for-profit Dreamfields Project was another winner.

The project provides townships and rural schools across South Africa with the necessary tools and equipment to play football, even in the most remote parts of the country.

Another recipient was the Salaam Bombay Foundation which, through various in-school leadership programmes and after-school sports and arts activities, engages with 50,000 Indian children.

The programme aims to build the youngsters' self-esteem and develop their life skills with the help of sport, to ensure they can then make the right choices for their health, education and livelihood.

The final recipient was international sport-for-development organisation Shooting Touch, which uses basketball to educate and empower at-risk young people and the communities in which they live.

"We look forward to seeing how these development grants can help them pursue their missions and inspire others who are making tremendous strides in increasing access to sport across the globe," said South Africa's Sam Ramsamy, an IOC member who is the chairman of the Sport and Active Society Commission.

"In today’s world, more than ever, it’s imperative that we keep moving and are physically active in our communities.

"We received applications from all corners of the globe.

"Our four winners are delivering effective sport for all programmes that use netball, cricket, hockey, basketball, football and boxing as a catalyst for change in local communities."