Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 31 hailed India’s rising global attention and untapped potential, citing the extraordinary journey of a tribal village in Madhya Pradesh that has transformed itself into a powerhouse of football talent.
Speaking during the 125th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister shared how his appearance on a global podcast unexpectedly opened doors for young footballers from Shahdol to train in Germany.
PM Modi recalled his recent conversation with renowned US-based podcaster Lex Fridman, where he highlighted the footballing spirit of Shahdol.
“Today, the attention of the whole world is towards India. The whole world is eyeing untapped possibilities in India. I want to share a pleasant experience related to this with you,” he said.
During the podcast, Modi mentioned Shahdol’s football talent, which caught the ear of German football player and coach Dietmar Beiersdorfer.
“A German sportsperson listened to that podcast… he first did research on it and then contacted the Indian Embassy in Germany. He wanted to connect with India on this subject,” the Prime Minister said.
Beiersdorfer was so impressed by the story of Shahdol’s youth that he offered to train them in his academy in Germany. Following this, the Madhya Pradesh government also reached out to him to formalise the opportunity.
“Very soon, some of our young friends from Shahdol will go to Germany for a training course,” the Prime Minister announced with pride, adding that football’s growing popularity in India was a sign of the country’s sporting rise.
Bicharpur: From Mahua to Mini Brazil
The Prime Minister’s remarks shone a spotlight on Bicharpur village in Shahdol, once known for its illicit liquor trade and alcohol addiction, now transformed into a hub of football talent.
Located in Sohagpur Tehsil of Shahdol, Bicharpur is home to about 900 people from Gond and Baiga tribes. According to the 2011 Census, nearly 75 percent of its population belongs to Scheduled Tribes.
For decades, the village economy revolved around brewing liquor from the mahua fruit. Addiction plagued its youth, trapping families in a cycle of poverty. But the entry of football changed its destiny.
Today, Bicharpur has earned the nickname “Mini Brazil” for producing over 45 national-level footballers and more than a thousand trained young players.
The Man behind the revolution
The transformation began with Raees Ahmed, a former national footballer and sports teacher. In 2001, Ahmed spotted local children kicking makeshift footballs for fun and decided to train them despite limited resources.
Every evening after work, he cycled to Bicharpur to coach tribal children aged 8–12, often buying shoes, jerseys, and balls from his own pocket.
Ahmed encouraged the children to abandon alcohol production and focus on sports. “These children helped their families quit nasha khori (alcoholism) and switch to other works like labour jobs,” he recalled in an earlier media interaction.
By 2003, Shahdol’s tribal children were playing at the state and national level, and by 2004, girls too joined the movement. Over the years, 1,500 children have been trained, with at least 80 reaching state and national competitions.
Football Kranti: Spreading across Shahdol Division
The success of Bicharpur inspired a larger district-wide movement under Shahdol Divisional Commissioner Rajeev Sharma. His initiative, called ‘Football Kranti’, aimed at expanding the sport across Shahdol, Anuppur, and Umaria districts.
The model began with the establishment of 1,000 football clubs in gram panchayats, many created under the MNREGA scheme. These clubs provided formal training to children aged 40-25.
Partnerships with the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, School Education Department, Reliance Foundation, and All India Football Federation (AIFF) gave the movement professional direction.
National players from Bicharpur, who later became certified E-license coaches, now train upcoming talent in their own region.
SAI’s upcoming Mini Soccer Training Academy
Recognising Bicharpur’s contribution to Indian football, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has proposed setting up a Mini Soccer Training Academy in the village.
The academy will identify the top 20 boys and 20 girls from the grassroots clubs and school programs for advanced coaching. Each trainee will also receive a monthly stipend of ₹1,000, ensuring financial support for their journey into professional football.
A new identity for a tribal region
What began as an effort to rescue children from addiction has now become a cultural and social identity for Shahdol. The region has more than 1,200 football clubs today, producing players who compete at state and national levels.
Families that once depended on liquor brewing now take pride in their children’s jerseys, medals, and scholarships.
The Prime Minister urged sports enthusiasts to visit Shahdol and “witness the sporting revolution happening there.”
“Football is no longer just a game here, it is the soul of the village,” said a local coach, reflecting the pride of the people.
From Shahdol to Germany: A global leap
As PM Modi noted, the story of Bicharpur has now crossed borders. With German coach Dietmar Beiersdorfer ready to mentor young footballers abroad, Shahdol’s tribal youth are set to take their next giant leap onto the international stage.
What started as a small football practice on a dusty ground in 2001 has today become a symbol of India’s rising potential, resilience, and global recognition.
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