Football Revolution Transforms Lives of West Champaran Girls
In the rural heartland of West Champaran, Bihar, a quiet revolution has been unfolding on village football grounds. What began as simple games has blossomed into a powerful movement, changing the destinies of hundreds of girls through the beautiful game. At the epicenter of this transformation stands 65-year-old Sunil Verma, whose three-decade dedication has turned poverty-stricken villages into nurseries for state and national football talent.
The Visionary Behind the Movement
A resident of DK Shikarpur under Narkatiaganj and co-secretary of the Bihar Football Association, Verma's journey began with a spark of inspiration in 1988. "I have been passionate about football since 1977, when I was in Class VI," Verma recalled. "In 1988, I traveled to Lucknow as a coach with the men's football team from Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Bihar. There, I witnessed a women's football match and met Rita Kullu from Ranchi. That interaction ignited my determination to promote talented girls from my Champaran soil."
This encounter planted the seed for what would become a lifelong mission to empower girls through sports in a region historically marked by poverty and restrictive social norms.
Breaking Barriers and Building Champions
The initial years presented formidable challenges. "In 1989, Wajda Tabassum from Mahua village near Narkatiaganj approached me," Verma shared. "She used to practice running at the local high school ground and expressed her wish to play after watching the boys' team. Once she began playing, she was soon selected for the Bihar women's football team."
A significant breakthrough arrived in 1996 when a national-level women's tournament was organized at Narkatiaganj High School. This event catalyzed growing interest and participation. Over subsequent years, remarkable talents emerged:
- Wajda Tabassum - Pioneer who paved the way for others
- Soni Paswan - Captained the Indian Under-14 national team
- Ansha Kumari - Represented India internationally in China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh
Numerous other players earned coveted spots in Bihar's Under-14 and Under-17 squads, demonstrating the program's depth and sustainability.
From Poverty to Prosperity Through Football
Most of these athletes came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, training without proper kits or facilities. What they lacked in resources, they compensated for with extraordinary discipline and determination. Government schemes offering employment opportunities for medal winners provided crucial motivation and tangible rewards for their athletic achievements.
Today, the program's success is measured in transformed lives. Many former players now hold positions in respected institutions:
- Police departments
- Indian Railways
- Various government agencies
Ansha Kumari, reflecting on Verma's impact, stated, "Sunil Sir is no less than Guru Dronacharya for us. He traveled from village to village, convincing parents that daughters, too, can earn respect and employment through sports."
Creating Lasting Social Change
Soni Paswan emphasized the broader implications: "This is social change. Through sports, daughters are becoming self-reliant and setting new examples." The transformation extends beyond individual achievements to reshape family dynamics and community perceptions.
Ansha's father offered powerful testimony: "Sunil Babu changed our destiny. Today, four of my daughters who played football are working in government jobs." This statement encapsulates the program's multi-generational impact, demonstrating how sports can break cycles of poverty and gender inequality.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Sunil Verma's three-decade commitment has created more than just football players—it has cultivated confident, employed women who serve as role models for future generations. The program demonstrates how sports can function as a powerful tool for social mobility, particularly in regions facing economic and social challenges.
From humble village grounds to international stadiums, the journey of West Champaran's girls illustrates how passion, perseverance, and visionary leadership can create pathways where none previously existed. As these athletes continue to excel on and off the field, they carry forward Verma's legacy of empowerment through football.
