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HELPING TRIBAL CHILDREN

ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS with sports

Players Coached
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Boys and Girls from 13+ villages

Goals Scored
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in three editions of Baby League

Football Hours
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Completed in training and competions.

Sports is good

The tribal hinterlands of the country have been devoid of basic amenities for decades now. But what has been a blessing in disguise is that they have been able to preserve their connection to nature and lived with minimum tools, thus letting their bodies and minds become the only tool that is available to them. The children from these regions have athletic agile bodies with a natural upper body balance and a sharp application-oriented intellect. This cultural capital is the talent that we look to encourage to build sporting excellence in the region.

To promote this talent and provide a platform to perform and compete, we organize a Golden Baby League every year. This has seen steady growth in participation with 450+ tribal girls and boys participating in 2022-23. Called the Raja Hriday Shah Golden Baby League (after the last great tribal king of Garha-Mandla), the League is organized in December and January with matches being played every weekend. 

In 2023-24, we are extending our work in football to reach 3000 children in Mandla, Dindori, and Anuppur districts. We are doing this by organizing Golden Baby Leagues in the region. Combined with the League, we also build awareness among children and coaches on the ill effects of tobacco consumption since children are addicted to tobacco at an early age.

Brijkumari Maravi

Brijkumari Maravi’s inspiring journey showcases how transformation is possible when young children are provided with a nurturing and carefree environment. Initially hesitant and lacking in self-confidence, Brijkumari now shines as an eager and indomitable football player at Mrida Education’s residential school in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. Despite a difficult upbringing, losing her father at a young age and being left in the care of her elderly grandparents, Brijkumari has flourished under the guidance of her football coach and the supportive community at the school. She participates in extracurricular activities, maintains good health and hygiene, and has a natural curiosity towards plants and herbs. Through discipline and routine, Brijkumari has become a talented, optimistic, and fearless young adult. Her coach sees her potential as a future player for the Indian women’s team, and she herself dreams of becoming a football player. Her story is a testament to the power of providing children with a nurturing and supportive environment to help them thrive.

Our Journey

U-17 Girls' Team :

In their first appearance at the 61st Subroto Cup Football Tournament, the first-ever all-tribal girls’ team from the region, representing Riverside Natural School, showcased their remarkable talent. They successfully qualified from Madhya Pradesh, surpassing teams from Bhopal, Narmadapuram, Gwalior, Indore, and Ujjain, earning the opportunity to compete at the prestigious Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi. During this tournament, the U-17 Girls’ Football Team from Riverside Natural School received the esteemed HFO VN Singh Fair Play Award, recognizing their exceptional sportsmanship. Among the standout players, Akansha Narte and Ambika Dhurwey demonstrated outstanding skills and caught the attention of scouts and coaches. Their remarkable performances led to them being named among the top 25 players in this edition of the Subroto Cup. As a result, they were awarded scholarships of Rs. 25,000 each, further acknowledging their talent and dedication. Their success highlights the potential and prowess of young talent in the realm of girls’ football, fostering a positive outlook for the future of the sport in tribal regions.