Bicharpur: Why This Madhya Pradesh Village Is Known As 'Mini Brazil'

Bicharpur, a town once known for brewing illicit liquor has rebranded itself, all thanks to one man's dedication to sport. Now known for its football frenzy, this small village in Madhya Pradesh has come to be known as 'mini Brazil' or India's very own Brazil. It all started with Raees Ahmed, a football coach who took it upon himself to channel the energy of the tribal villagers into the game. With over 45 national players produced in Bicharpur, the village in Shahdol district has undergone an inspiring transformation, coming to be recognised as a powerhouse of football.

Liqour Town To Football Town

In the early 2000s, Raees Ahmed was training a railway team of players in Shahdol when he came across the exceptional skills of tribal children in the Bicharpur village. He learnt that generations of most families in this village were known for making illicit liquor known as kachhi shat. However, the children suffered the brunt of addictions and financial hardships.

That is when Ahmed decided to engage the youth and professionally train them in football. In the evening, after training the Shahdol railway football team, Ahmed would travel to Bicharpur to coach the tribal children at a raw open area which they used as a football ground. He put aside his earnings to provide basic amenities like shoes and jerseys to the villagers. 

मध्य प्रदेश के शहडोल में फुटबॉल क्रांति नाम के एक कार्यक्रम ने यहां के युवाओं की जिंदगी बदल दी है। इसने न सिर्फ उन्हें नशे के चंगुल से बाहर निकाला है, बल्कि देश को कई प्रतिभावान खिलाड़ी भी दिए हैं। pic.twitter.com/AVSeAVcTs2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2023

With the introduction of sports, the situation of the villagers who earlier engaged in substances drastically improved, Free Press Journal reported. Years down the line, several players from Bicharpur went on to represent India. In August 2023, the Sports Autho­rity of India opened a feeder centre at Bicharpur and appointed a local girl, Laxmi Sahees, as a coach. 

Bicharpur resident and national footballer Anil Singh Gond told the Free Press Journal, "There were many girls and boys who could have been a part of the Indian squad if they had received the kind of help and training that these kids are receiving now. Now, every kid that comes to the ground is aspiring to represent the state and country one day."