Siwan, Bihar – In a landmark moment for grassroots Indian football, India Khelo Football (IKF), in collaboration with Tyger Capital, hosted a groundbreaking football trial in Siwan — one that was led entirely by women and organized exclusively for girls. As part of Tyger IKF Season 5, the event not only brought football to a region where such opportunities are rare for girls, but also did so by turning every operational role over to female leaders.
This wasn’t just a trial — it was a statement. In a state where girls often remain on the sidelines of sport, IKF turned the spotlight toward them, and made sure no one was left behind because of gender or background.
Access for All: IKF’s Commitment to Girls
In a state like Bihar, where cultural and financial barriers often restrict girls’ participation in sport, IKF has taken a decisive step to change the narrative.
As part of its deep-rooted commitment to inclusivity, IKF has waived the registration fee for all girls participating in Season 5 trials across the country. This policy is grounded in IKF’s belief that talent should never be stifled by affordability. By eliminating financial barriers, the organization is opening up structured, national-level football exposure to girls from all walks of life — many of whom are stepping onto a proper football pitch for the first time.
“This isn’t just about sport,” said Nirja Shekhawat, National Operations Head at IKF.
“It’s about telling every girl that she belongs — not just on the pitch, but at the heart of the game. When girls see women leading every aspect of football — from logistics to scouting — it changes what they believe is possible.”
Leadership from the Ground Up
The Siwan trial was brought to life by Sanskriti Yadav, a IKF Trial Manger, who managed the entire operation .
“Most girls arrived nervous. Many had never seen a trial organized only for them, and certainly not by a team of women,” said Sanskriti. “But they left with pride. That’s the power of representation — when they see someone like them running the show, it sparks something inside.”
The trial received strong local support from Sanjay Pathak, founder of Rani Laxmi Bai Academy, who shared:
“This is the first time Siwan has seen something like this — girls organizing and girls playing, with no interference or judgment. It’s changing mindsets, and that’s just as important as changing lives.”
National Talent on Watch
Among the highlights of the day was the presence of Ansha Singh, former India women’s national team defender and an IKF Partner Scout. With her national experience and grassroots lens, she brought a rare blend of vision and validation to the event.
“The technical quality, energy, and courage I saw were inspiring,” Ansha said. “These girls have it — what they need now is belief, consistency, and continued platforms like IKF to push them forward.”
IKF: Building a Football-First, Player-First India
India Khelo Football is not a club or an academy. It is a neutral, not-for-profit movement building the largest ecosystem of talent identification, mentorship, and placement for footballers across India — free of any commercial interests.
Since its inception, IKF has:
- Conducted trials in 20+ Indian states and 100+ cities and Vilalges
- Scouted and shortlisted thousands of players from rural and underserved areas
- Connected selected players with top ISL and I-League clubs
- Maintained a zero-revenue-sharing model to keep the sport player-focused and meritocratic
Girls, in particular, have received free participation access — as IKF believes their dreams deserve encouragement, not barriers.
A Model to Replicate
The Siwan trials stand as a blueprint for what inclusive, sustainable, and gender-forward grassroots development can look like — a rare combination of operational excellence, community leadership, and emotional impact.
“What we did in Siwan isn’t a one-off. It’s a model,” said Nirja Shekhawat. “And we’ll replicate it wherever a girl is waiting to play but has no place to go.”
When women lead, girls rise.
When trials become platforms, dreams become possible.
And when football is truly democratized — the entire country wins.
