Ramakrishna Mission: From Remote Tribes to Football Triumphs

Nestled in Chhattisgarh's Abujhmarh region, the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Ashram has emerged as an unexpected football talent hub. With over a dozen players from the Mission's academy in the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, the ashram's dedication to sports and education is proving transformative.

The Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Ashram, established in 1986 in the remote Abujhmarh region of Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, has quietly become a hotbed for football talent.

With its academy about 250 km from Raipur, its influence was evident at the 2026 Khelo India Tribal Games where over a dozen players groomed at the Ashram represented Chhattisgarh's football teams. The women's team made it to the finals, and the men's team reached the semifinals.

The games, occurring from March 25 to April 3, highlight the Ashram's impact, according to CFA's Mohan Lal. The Ashram offers free education, fostering interests in music and sports for children from isolated tribal villages. It provides opportunities to pursue sports careers alongside academics, supported by strong infrastructure, including three football grounds.

(With inputs from agencies.)