Adivasi Couple Empower Girls Through Football in Bengal

Kolkata, October 22, 2025 — In the heart of rural Hooghly, West Bengal, an Adivasi couple has sparked a remarkable transformation by empowering young girls through football. What began as a simple act of courage by Raju Oraon and Lalita Oraon has grown into a movement redefining gender roles and inspiring a new generation of women athletes.

In villages such as Shyamnagar and Bhandarhati, girls were once discouraged from playing outdoor sports, told that “football is for boys.” Refusing to accept these social barriers, Raju and Lalita took the bold step of starting football training for girls in 2016. Facing criticism and financial hardship, they sold Lalita’s gold jewellery to fund equipment and continued coaching despite local resistance.

Their unwavering commitment has since paid off. Today, nearly 100 children, many of them girls, train under their guidance. Several have advanced to compete in state-level and national tournaments, including the Indian Women’s League. What began as a fight for the right to play has evolved into a broader struggle for freedom and equality.

“The biggest win is freedom,” says Lalita Oraon, reflecting on the journey. “These children don’t want rest; they want to train. Football has given them confidence and a voice.”

For Raju and Lalita, the goal has never been trophies alone but transformation — proving that with opportunity and belief, even the most marginalised can rise and lead change. In rural Bengal, their story has become a powerful reminder that the field of play can be a field of liberation.

Source and Image Credits : Telegraph India