On the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, CSS division of Tata Steel organized the Final Match of the Inter Youth Club Football Tournament. This mega-event was the culmination of the series of Inter Youth Club Football matches that have been organized by CSS in the month of July.

Present to grace the occasion were Shri Champai Soren, Hon’ Minister for Tribal Welfare and Transportation, Govt. of Jharkhand as chief guest and Mr Sanjiv Paul, Vice President (Corporate Services), Tata Steel as guest of honour, Shri Ramdas Soren, MLA-Ghatsila, besides other government and Tata Steel’s officials and others.

The four teams that played the semi final and final matches are as follows:

All the 96 teams which had participated in the knock-out matches were present to cheer the two teams at the final match. Tata Steel took the opportunity of ‘International Day of the World’s Indigeneous People’ to sift and thereafter provide a platform to budding soccer talents amongst the rural population of Jamshedpur and its neighbouring regions.

With the objective to search and promote rural talent, the tournament was organized from 4th July’ to 31st July’11 at various villages of different blocks namely, Patamda, Potka, Gamharia, Saraikella and Jamshedpur. About 94 teams participated in the month-long sporting event.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Champai Soren said, “Tribal welfare is presently much in talks and Tata Steel’s contribution towards uplift of the tribal population is commendable. It is our collective responsibility to preserve tribal art and culture and for this, every panchayat in Jharkhand should have a model village.”

Mr Sanjiv Paul addressed the gatherin saying, “Tata Steel is committed towards tribal welfare in its varied aspects. We will make an effort to train more number of talented youths to be trained by Tata Football Academy to give their career a definitive shape.”

Shri Ramdas Soren said, “Tata Steel’s effort in promoting football and sifting for talent amongst the rural youth of this region is praiseworthy. Young people should strive for an all-round development to stay ahead of competition.”

The quarter final and semi-final matches of the tournament were played on 07th and 08th August, 2011 respectively, the details of which is as under:

• Quarter Final match - 8 teams - 7th Aug’11, TFA (Tata Football Academy) from 8.00 am

• Semi final match - 4 teams - 8th Aug’ 11, Jaipal Singh Stadium, Karandih from 8.00 am

The knock-out matches at 8 different venues were thoroughly enjoyed by the local community. The venue and the dates where these 8 tournaments were held are as follows:

• Jaipal Stadium, Karandih from 4^th July to 6th July
• T.B.C., Gadra from 7^th July to 9^th July
• Deoghara football ground from 11^th to 13^th July
• A.R.G. Club, Bagunhatu from 14^th to 16^th July
• Laylom football ground from 18^th to 20^th July
• Kolabera football ground from 23^rd to 24^th July
• Bingburu football ground from 25^th to 27^th July
• Kasidih football ground from 30^th to 31^st July

This tournament gave an opportunity to the rural youth to display their talent and has helped Tata Steel identify budding talents and hone their skills further. Out of the 1,500 participants from 96 teams, 66 youth have been identified for further coaching and mentoring at various Academies.