Celebrating inclusivity in sport: PSD’s mixed-gender football tournament

The tournament was organized as part of PSD's Community Sports Program, a multi-sport initiative that supports the holistic development of young people from marginalized backgrounds. Through a specially designed sport-based curriculum, the program focuses on teaching soft skills, promoting values education, and challenging gender stereotypes. The tournament was also supported by the Simply Sport Foundation.

Prior to the final tournament, qualifier matches were held in each participating school, engaging 316 young players, comprising of 170 boys and 146 girls. Students competed in teams representing their schools with the top three teams from each school, based on points, advancing to the final tournament that was played between 16 teams.

The final tournament took place on 19th January, commencing with an inauguration ceremony chaired by Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir's President, Chandrashekhar Gumansingh. He welcomed the guests and delivered an inspiring speech on the role of sports in fostering team spirit and empowering women.

“Playing in a mixed-gender team was the highlight for me because it breaks the stereotype that girls cannot play with boys. We enjoyed a lot after the finals.” 

- Maheswar Sahoo, Class 6, Vivekanand Shiksha Kendra

The 16 qualifying teams were divided into four groups, playing in a league-stage format where each team faced the others in their group. The top two teams from each group, based on points, progressed to the quarter-finals. From there, the knockout format intensified the competition through the semi-finals and finals. In the end, ST Ball Jugglers from St Joseph’s School were the winners of the tournament, while AK Thunderbolts from Ambedkar Shiksha Kendra finished as runners-up. Each team maintained a balanced gender representation, comprising five girls and four boys. In total, 144 young footballers - 80 girls and 64 boys - competed in the tournament, reinforcing the event’s commitment to inclusivity in sport.

Additionally, 25 parents participated in a fun session called "Dribble and Shoot," designed to encourage community involvement and appreciation for sports.

The tournament was a testament to PSD's ongoing commitment to promoting equality, cooperation, and social integration through sport.A defining feature was boys and girls playing together on the same team, encouraging mutual respect and understanding. This format not only strengthened team dynamics but also challenged traditional gender norms, demonstrating the power of sports as a catalyst for social change. The tournament left a lasting impact on participants, helping them enhance their football skills while deepening their understanding of inclusivity, teamwork, and respect. Many shared that competing in mixed-gender teams helped them break gender stereotypes and collaborate more effectively.

“Today was a lot of fun at the football tournament. We lost our first match, but that does not matter; participating in the event itself was a big achievement for me.” 

- Tanushree Rautray, Class 6, Ambedkar Shiksha Kendra

The Mixed-Gender Football Tournament was successful in promoting inclusivity in the schools and communities PSD works with. It encouraged teamwork, sportsmanship, and stronger connections between participants and the community. Most importantly, it helped break stereotypes by bringing boys and girls together on the same team, reinforcing the idea that sport is for everyone.