CHANDRAPUR district men triumphed over Yavatmal to clinch the 19th Nashikrao Tirpude Memorial Slum Soccer Maharashtra Men’s State Tournament while Wardha district overcame Amravati to win the 9th Kalatai Tirpude Memorial Slum Soccer Women’s State Tournament. The tournament was organised by Slum Soccer at its Academy in Bokhara.

The tournament was held in a 4-a-side format. Slum Soccer, a FIFA-awarded Football for Development organisation, uses football as a tool to educate, empower and provide opportunities to diverse and underprivileged communities throughout India. Slum Soccer has been organising the tournament every year in memory of Nashikrao Tirpude who was a visionary leader of Vidarbha and the first Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

 

Through the tournament, underprivileged youth of various districts of Maharashtra showcase their footballing skills and impress selectors for a place in the State team for the National Inclusion Cup organised by Slum Soccer every year. This year, 12 districts in men’s category and nine in women’s category from Maharashtra participated.

Rajkumar Tirpude, President, Yugantar Education Society, Prof Vijay Barse, Slum Soccer, Founder and Secretary were the guests of the prize distribution function.

During the tournament, 16 players have been identified who will represent Maharashtra and Vidarbha in the National Inclusion Cup 2022.