AM/NS India empowersgrassroots talentatThakurani Challenger Football Tournament 2025

By Subrat Sarangi

Keonjhar/ Odisha , Aug 20 : ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), through its CSR initiative ‘Udaan’, served as the principal sponsor of the Thakurani Challenger Football Tournament 2025. Organised in partnership with the Veer Birsa Munda Youth Club, Dalki, the tournament brought together 16 teams and over 240 players in a daylong celebration of community and competition.

Held at the Dalki Ground, Barbil in Keonjhar district, the event united youth from neighbouring villages in a spirited showcase of sportsmanship, teamwork, and local pride.The matches were played in a knockout formatraising the stakes with every match.In a closely fought finals, Sunny Express beat Khushi 11 with a score of 1-0 and emerged as winners of the Thakurani Challenger Football Tournament 2025.

The event was graced by Shri Niranjan Munda, President, Veer Birsa Munda Youth Club, Shri Pramod Acharya, Welfare Officer, Thakurani Mine, AM/NS India, Shri Arun Agrawal, Lead – CSR, Thakurani Mine, AM/NS India along with other officials of the company and local community members.The dignitaries presented trophies to the winning team and the runner-up team.Celebrating individual achievements, Shiva Munda of Sunny Express team was awarded the Best Goalkeeper, Ajay Munda of Khushi 11 team was awarded as Best Defender and Abinash Munda of Sunny Express team was awarded the Best Scorer of the tournament.

The tournament received extensive support from AM/NS India, which included sports equipment, trophies, jerseys for players and volunteers, venue setup, food, and logistical support for the players.Shri Niranjan Munda commended AM/NS India’s commitment to empowering local talent and praised the company’s active involvement in organising the tournament.