Ramakrishna Mission Ashram: A Beacon for Football Talent in Chhattisgarh
Nurturing Football Talent in Chhattisgarh
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 1: Founded in 1986, the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Ashram has emerged as a significant hub for football talent, particularly for tribal communities in the remote Abujhmarh area of Narayanpur district.
The Ramakrishna Mission Football Academy (RKMFA), located approximately 250 km from Raipur, has made a notable impact at the ongoing Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026. Players from the academy have represented Chhattisgarh in both men's and women's football teams, with the women's team reaching the finals and the men's team advancing to the semifinals.
The Khelo India Tribal Games commenced on March 25 and will run until April 3, taking place in Chhattisgarh.
According to Mohan Lal, assistant general secretary of the Chhattisgarh Football Association (CFA) and a member of the AIFF executive committee, 'Each of the men's and women's teams competing in KITG 2026 features around 12-13 players from the academy.'
Situated in the Bastar region, historically known for its isolation and conflict, the RK Mission has dedicated decades to providing education and opportunities to children from remote tribal villages, many of which are nestled deep within forested areas lacking formal schooling.
The Ashram offers free education while also fostering interests in music and sports. Sports have become a vital component of the Ashram's development initiatives, allowing children to receive structured training alongside their academic pursuits, enabling them to aspire for careers in sports while continuing their education.
Each year, approximately 50 to 60 students from the institution qualify to compete in national-level tournaments, showcasing the consistent flow of talent from this residential campus.
Mohan Lal noted that the Ashram has established robust sporting facilities to aid its students, including three football fields, one of which features astro-turf, as well as indoor venues for badminton, table tennis, kho-kho, and mallakhamb.
He emphasized the transformative impact of sports on the lives of many children from areas affected by prolonged conflict due to Naxalism. Currently, the Ashram accommodates over 2,700 children across various age groups, providing them with education and the opportunity to dream of futures as doctors, engineers, athletes, or scholars.
'In many respects, it stands out as one of the finest residential schools in the nation,' Mohan Lal remarked, underscoring the Ashram's pivotal role in shaping lives through education and sports.
'The school hosts around 2,700 students from classes 1 to 12, with many alumni securing positions in leading companies and pursuing studies at prestigious institutions across the country,' he added.
Lal also highlighted the academy's sporting facilities, which gained recognition when the Ramakrishna Mission Football Academy (RKMFA) became the first club from the state to compete in the Under-17 Youth Cup in the 2022-23 season, organized by the All India Football Federation.