Barbil: JSW Foundation is leaving no stones unturned to support the girls’ football team, which has shown great promise and recently won the Ganua Champions’ trophy competing against Raikela, Joda and Triveni teams.
Come December, JSW Foundation will launch ‘Khao aur Khelo’ — a nutrition programme comprising protein-packed breakfast with eggs and banana for 60 players, post practice sessions.
An annual sports scholarship for top players in the teams will also be introduced to help keep their motivation level high and sustain their winning performances in upcoming local and national-level tournaments.
JSW’s aim is to help Keonjhar emerge as a soccer hub among the top five sporting districts of Odisha that can churn out top footballers over the next five years.
Football coaching was initiated at Keonjhar earlier this year, with 25 boys and 25 being trained in the under-12 and under-16 age groups.
Jerseys, equipment and conveyance expenses for tournaments are provided by the company.
JSW has appointed Krushna Chandra Mahanta, national-level coach for special Olympics, and Sanjay Naik, SDC coach, to train youths from neighbouring villages and prepare them for competitive football.
“A discernible change has occurred in level of fitness, especially for girls who are more resilient in attitude and are ready to face tournament stress thanks to regular practice,” said Krushna.
Two girls from the JSW team, Maina Balmuchu and Tarini Nayak, have already been inducted into the Keonjhar District football team.
“Regular coaching and everyday practice has helped me a great deal and I am now totally focused on Football. It helps me to concentrate on studies as well. I look forward to the tournaments and dream of making it big someday,” said Tarini, a 10th grader from Jajang.
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