Bhubaneswar: In a groundbreaking event for tribal communities, tribal girls from western Odisha emerged as trailblasers during the recently concluded AJSA India Champions League 2025.
The region’s first-ever football tournament empowered hundreds of tribal children, many stepping onto a football field for the first time, while shining a spotlight on the increasing participation and success of girls in sports.
The three-day tournament, held at Gandharla Playground in Bolangir district, brought together 20 teams from Bolangir, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi districts. Over 5,500 enthusiastic spectators witnessed intense matches that culminated in a thrilling final.
In the boys’ final, the Jhinkipada Rangers secured a hard-fought victory against the Bathrala Warriors. The girls’ final was equally momentous, with the Ganjiapada Queens defeating the Kurlubhata Angels. This victory marked a significant milestone for tribal girls’ growing presence and achievements in regional sports, an area traditionally dominated by boys.
Girls’ participation in the tournament, still a rarity in this part of Odisha, drew widespread support and enthusiasm from local communities. People of all ages gathered to cheer for the teams, celebrating not just the sport but the breaking of long-standing social barriers through football.
The initiative, backed by the GOAL (Generation of Opportunity for Aspirational Learning) project and organised by AJSA India in collaboration with the FIFA Foundation, aims to promote grassroots development through sports. Over the past year, AJSA India has established 30 sports clubs, developed playgrounds in remote villages, and trained over 3,500 children with the help of professional and community coaches across Odisha’s KBK region.
Beyond football skills, participants received training in first aid, search and rescue, and psychosocial support, transforming the football field into a platform for building both physical and emotional resilience.
Manoranjan Behera, Executive Director of AJSA India, said, “This tournament was not just about football — it was a movement to reclaim space for tribal children, especially girls, in sports. What we witnessed is the beginning of a revolution grounded in dignity, equality, and hope.”
“Our Champions League is a game-changer for tribal girls. Their victory symbolises a shift towards confidence, visibility, and a future full of possibilities,” he added.
As cheers echoed through Gandharla Playground, the tournament stood as a powerful testament to inclusion and aspiration. For many tribal girls, lacing up their boots for the first time was not just a personal triumph but a moment of collective awakening for their communities.
In a region often marked by hardship, the AJSA India Champions League 2025 has rewritten the narrative — proving that with opportunity, talent, and support, even the most remote communities can shine brightly both on and off the field.
