Chennai: Slum Soccer, a Nagpur-based NGO (Maharashtra) working towards the development of women football in association with Australian Consulate-General organised a “DAP Shakti Cup” Football Tournament. The tournament was supported by the Australian Government.

A six team girls’ football tournament was inaugurated by the Australian Consul General for South India, Ms. Sarah Kirlew in the presence of Mr. Abhijeet Barse, Chief Executive Officer, Slum Soccer – Krida Vikas Sanstha. The tournament was held on 12^th February, 2021 at the Tiki Taka Turf Stadium, Radhakrishnan Street, T Nagar, Chennai.

Triplicane FC team won the title “DAP Shakti Cup” by beating Pulianthope FC by 4-0 in the final. The tournament witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 6 teams consists of 60 girls, divided into 2 groups including:

¥  Pattinapakkam (A, B & C 3 team)

¥  Pulianthope

¥  Puzhal

¥  Triplicane

Each team played 2 matches and the teams’ tops in their group were qualified for the final. The remaining teams played to determine their final rank in the tournament.

The 5 a-sided football tournament was played as part of the ‘Shakti Girls’ program, a partnership between Slum Soccer and the Australian Consulate-General. The program is specially designed and developed for the underprivileged adolescent girls aged between 10 & 18 years to address the Sustainable Development Goals of 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th & 10^th. Also, it helps those who have been impacted by an astonishing lockdown due to Covid-19 and face the emerging ‘new normal’ with hope and optimism.

The main objective of this program is to utilize the power of football to engage, educate the girls about the importance of teamwork, communication, leadership, problem solving and empower girls from the underprivileged section of society. Also, counselling will be provided to the participants on how to manage their menstrual cycles and other topics such as gender equality, women rights etc.

Commenting on the DAP Shakti Cup tournament, the organisers said, “Slum Soccer is proud to host this football tournament in association with Australian Consulate-General. We are confident this tournament not only identifies the hidden talents and trains them but also develops their hygiene management, life skill lessons to overcome gender barriers and make positive changes in their lives and inspire others”.