KITG 2026: Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Ashram Turns Naxal-Affected Bastar into a Breeding Ground for Football Talent

Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Ashram in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, founded in 1986, is now a key nursery for football. At the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, over a dozen players in both the Chhattisgarh men's and women's squads are its products. The women reached the final. The men entered the semifinals.

The Ashram lies in the Abujhmarh region of Narayanpur district, about 250 km from Raipur. It was set up to support tribal communities in remote forest areas. Many children come from villages with poor roads and basic services. Formal schools are often missing there.

Chhattisgarh Football Association assistant general secretary Mohan Lal said there are “about 12-13 players from the academy in each men and women's football teams competing in the KITG 2026.” These players were trained at the residential campus over many years.

The Ashram sits in the Bastar belt, once linked with isolation and conflict. For decades, Ramakrishna Mission has focused on education and social care here. It offers free schooling to tribal children. It also helps them learn music and many sports from a young age.

Sport is a key part of the daily schedule. Children attend classes, then join practice. Coaches test them in many games. Some later choose football, while others shift to indoor sports. This mix helps students plan sports careers without leaving their studies.

Every year, nearly 50 to 60 Ashram students participate in national events. These include school meets and age group tournaments. Many games are organised by state bodies. Others are held under national federations. This steady flow shows the system works for tribal youth.

How Is Football Changing Lives In Bastar?

According to Mohan Lal, the campus has strong training support. There are three football grounds, including an astro-turf pitch. Indoor arenas host badminton, table tennis, kho-kho, and mallakhamb. These facilities are rare in this forest belt and draw young talent.

Mohan Lal said sport has changed many lives in areas hit by Naxalism. Over 2,700 children live and study at the Ashram today. They see jobs beyond local limits. Many now dream of roles as doctors, engineers, sportspersons and academicians.

“In many ways, it is one of the best residential schools in the country,” Lal said. He added that several alumni now work in top companies. Others study in leading institutions across India. This includes those who first came as very young boarders.

Lal also pointed to rising notice for the academy. Ramakrishna Mission Football Academy became the first club from Chhattisgarh to play the Under-17 Youth Cup run by the All India Football Federation, and the I-League 2. This marked a new stage for local football.

The key data from the Ashram and its football work are shown here.

Ramkrishna Mission Football Academy: Key Details