Shahdol Sports Boost
Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh has decided to send promising football players from the tribal-dominated Shahdol district to Brazil for specialised training, a major step to boost sports in the state. Urban Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayavargiya said the first batch will depart once an agreement is finalised between the Centre and a Brazilian football club.
The state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, approved the plan on Tuesday. Vijayavargiya told reporters, “The Centre will sign an agreement with a football club in Brazil, and after completing the formalities, the first batch of players will be sent for training.”
The decision follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, where he highlighted how a conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman caught the attention of German football coach Dietmar Beiersdorfer. The coach was impressed by the life stories and dedication of Shahdol’s young players and offered to provide coaching locally. Some players will also travel to Germany for further training under him.
Vijayavargiya said the cabinet expressed gratitude to PM Modi for creating this opportunity, calling it a milestone for Shahdol and the state’s sports development.
Bicharpur village in Shahdol, once affected by youth drug addiction, has transformed into a “Mini Brazil” thanks to former player and coach Raees Ahmed. Through his initiative ‘Football Kranti,’ he trained local tribal boys, many of whom had struggled with substance abuse, into football talents. The programme has produced 40 national and state-level players and inspired the formation of around 1,500 football clubs across Shahdol’s villages, creating a strong grassroots football culture in the district.
Officials hope the Brazil training programme will further enhance skills and motivate players across Madhya Pradesh to achieve national and international recognition.
