PM Modi on India’s Mini Brazil: How Small Village in MP shares the same Passion for Football

Indian Football might be struggling big time, but the country shares huge love for this most popular global sport.

Recently an Interesting story was shared by PM Narendra Modi in recent podcast with Lex Fredmen(Popular Amercian Podcaster) regarding India’s love for Football.

“There is a Tribal village in Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh known as Mini Brazil where more than 80 players have played Football at the highest level”.

He added that “I recall my visit at this village where I love interacting with people one thing which made me happy, around 80 to 100 boys, older youth were all dressed in Sports Uniform standing together”.

When I asked them where you all are from “They said we are from Mini- Brazil” to which I replied “What do you mean Mini Brazil?” to which they responded ” In our Village Football has been played by four generations and more than 80 players have played at the highest level from these village not only that annual football competition is organized in our village where more than 20,000 people turn up to witness sport in short our entire village is dedicated to Football” PM Modi further added.

Based on the statement and dwelling further into the love for the sport, Football in India is growing its dominance in states like North East, West Bengal and Assam along with some tribal communities where the love for the sport is growing at exponential level.

Let’s dwell further into the details of this Village:

Bicharpur where 1000 crazy football soul live as the village falls in Shahdoul district which falls in 550 Km away from Bhopal.

Every Home in this village which belongs to Baigas and Gonds had either footballer or Football coach.

The Village Kicks of their day with a referee whistle and the day closes with the same whistle in the evening.

The Unique Football culture will promote socio economic sporting culture where players belonging to distinct age groups along with Older people play football which foster team spirit.

The inception story how football became football popular sport in Village begun in 1960, when coach Suresh Kunde noticed that young people in village is consuming alcohol.

He brought young players in the huddle where he told young people to start playing football in dusky ground eventually, subsequently Bicharpur first time Playing X1 was announced and people back in those days recalled how televisions and VCR would be rented back in those days so that residents can watch the game of football.

Kunde currently suffers with Paralysis reside in Bicharpur Village.

Later “Gaon ke Footballers” initiative was launched in the village and credit should be given to all stakeholders and collectors who supported this initiative so that love for football keeps growing.

The best part about this village, parents residing at this Mini Brazil, support education and football love where these young players have already toured in most parts of India for playing Football.

One interesting thing about this village, its is mandatory for students to do well in academics based on that only they are allowed to play football.

According to 2011 Census, Bicharpur literacy rate was 45% well below MP 70% literacy rate but things have changed exponentially thereafter as more private and government schools have been opened in the village.

Not only that Hostel facilities is also available for students residing from different village who wants to stay in Bicharpur and play Football.

The Tribal Community stakeholders regularly organize, Football tournaments where teams from distinct village compete at the highest level.

Sports Complex have been built in the village yet more football stadium needs to constructed where the best of the facilities should be given to them so that they can excel at the highest level.

The only reason stopping them to become full fledged Mini Brazil is lack of infrastructure where more modern football grounds, changing rooms are not there where Girls face huge problem also poor ground condition have brought more injuries to them due to uneven surface.

However Local authorities have assured that this Village, will get good grounds and the way our Prime Minister Narendra Modi have stated in recent podcast in America has brought Bicharpur Village from Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh on Global Football Map.