Bicharpur, a village in Madhya Pradesh, has earned the moniker ‘mini Brazil’ or India’s own Brazil due to its passion for football. It’s reported that approximately 45 national football players have emerged from this dynamic hub. Once known for its illicit liquor production, Bicharpur has undergone a remarkable transformation, all thanks to the dedication of one individual towards sports.
Raees Ahmed, a football coach, noticed the exceptional talent among tribal children in Bicharpur while training a railway team in Shahdol during the early 2000s. He discovered that many families in the village had long been involved in making illicit liquor, resulting in addiction and financial struggles among the youth.
Ahmed decided to channel the energy of these youngsters into football by providing professional training. After coaching the Shahdol railway football team during the day, he would travel to Bicharpur in the evenings to mentor the tribal children on a makeshift football ground. He invested his earnings to provide essentials like shoes and jerseys to the villagers. The introduction of sports brought about a significant improvement in the villagers’ lives, with many abandoning substance abuse.
Over the years, several players from Bicharpur have gone on to represent India in football. In August 2023, the Sports Authority of India established a feeder center in Bicharpur and appointed a local, Laxmi Sahees, as a coach.
Anil Singh Gond, a resident of Bicharpur and a national footballer, expressed that many youngsters in the village could have joined the Indian squad if they had received the same support and training earlier. Now, every child who steps onto the field aspires to represent their state and country one day.
