Bhubaneswar: The football talent among 55 young girls in Rengali Block of the Sambalpur district are being nurtured through professional coaching, sports infrastructure, nutritional support and competitive exposure under Project Lakshya.
This is an initiative by Aditya Aluminium, a unit of Aditya Birla Group’s Hindalco Industries Limited that aims to create new opportunities for rural and tribal girls in Odisha.
Implemented through the registered Aditya Uday Sports Club, the programme began with outreach across schools and villages in six gram panchayats to identify promising young players. Beyond football, the project focuses on building discipline, teamwork, leadership and self-confidence, empowering girls to pursue their aspirations both on and off the field.
The initiative has already achieved encouraging milestones. Five players have been selected for the district’s Under-14 football team, while another player has secured admission to the prestigious SESA Football Academy in Goa.
For the young footballers and their families, Project Lakshya is becoming a source of hope, pride and opportunity.
“Football has been my passion since childhood, but I never had the opportunity to pursue it seriously. Project Lakshya has given wings to my dream, strengthened my confidence and inspired me to believe in my abilities. Today, football has given me renewed hope and a sense of identity,” said Nandini Oram, a 15-year-old resident of Dunguripada village under the Jangla Gram Panchayat.
Surabhi Munda, a resident of Katabaga village in Rengali Block, shared her joy over daughter Barsha’s selection to SESA Football Academy.
“Seeing my daughter move closer to her football dream fills our family with immense pride. Her selection to SESA Football Academy has opened new possibilities for her future. We sincerely thank Aditya Aluminium’s CSR initiative for recognising her talent and providing the support and opportunity she needs to pursue her ambitions,” Surabhi said.
Twenty-year-old Sunita Minj, from the Salepada village under Jangla Gram Panchayat, highlighted the programme’s impact on her confidence.
“Limited opportunities once held me back from pursuing my dream of playing football. Project Lakshya has given me access to regular training and the confidence to aim higher. It has strengthened my determination to pursue football at a more competitive level,” she said.
Nikita Oram (21), from Ludhapali village, was inspired by her mother, a national-level football player. She now plays as a goalkeeper for Aditya Uday Sports Club.
“My mother has always inspired me to dream of becoming a footballer. Project Lakshya has helped me turn that dream into reality by providing the opportunity to train and play. Today, I am proud to carry forward her inspiration and aspire to achieve greater heights,” Nikita said.
Jagannath Nayak, Unit Head, Aditya Aluminium, Lapanga, said: “At Aditya Aluminium, we believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to realize her full potential. Through Project Lakshya, we are using sports as a powerful medium to empower rural girls, build confidence, and create pathways for their future growth.”
“The achievements of our young footballers demonstrate what can be accomplished when talent is combined with the right support and opportunities. We are proud to contribute to nurturing future champions while promoting inclusion, gender equality and holistic community development,” he added.
As families increasingly support their daughters’ sporting ambitions, Project Lakshya is helping challenge traditional barriers and inspire more girls to take up football. By combining coaching, nutrition, infrastructure, mentorship and competitive exposure, the initiative aims to nurture future athletes capable of representing Odisha and India while empowering rural girls to dream bigger.
