Elsewhere In Football #20
- Jan 24
- 4 min read
Bicharpura – A Visit to “Mini Brazil” 🇮🇳⚽
Some trips stay with you for a long time. This was one of them.
Tucked away in India is a small district called Bicharpura, better known by its nickname — Mini Brazil. And honestly, after visiting, it’s not hard to see why. This tiny place has produced over 45 international footballers in the past couple of decades. Let that sink in.
But what makes that statistic even more powerful is where this community started.
Years ago, this district was known for something very different. Home brewing of illicit alcohol was common, and many children were exposed to it from an early age — some even struggling with alcoholism before their teenage years. Opportunities were limited.
Hope was limited.
Then football arrived.
A local football initiative began giving children a different place to be after school — not monitoring home brew, not wandering the streets, but playing, learning, and dreaming on a football pitch. What followed has been nothing short of a transformation. Today, those same streets echo with the sound of kids playing every evening until dark. Confidence replaced despair. Aspiration replaced survival mode.
During our visit, we even learned that a recent connection with a German coach had led to five young female players being invited to Germany to test their abilities. For a small rural district, that’s monumental.
We travelled there to understand how football had changed lives — and to learn what lessons we could take into our own programmes.
The Journey........
Getting there was an adventure in itself — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Travel in India demands an open mind. It’s unpredictable, chaotic at times, and absolutely brilliant. From Haldwani, we took a five-hour train to Delhi, stayed overnight, enjoyed some excellent train food, and caught up with friends in Noida.
The next leg was a 14-hour overnight train to Bicharpura. The carriages were clean and surprisingly comfortable, gently rolling through the darkness of rural India. Despite that, sleep didn’t come easily. Excitement. Anticipation. A few nerves. I knew this visit was going to be special.
The journey home? Slightly more dramatic.
Double-booked trains meant we suddenly found ourselves scrambling for alternatives — a five-hour car ride, a 75-minute flight, two hours in Delhi traffic, then another car journey that stretched from five hours to seven thanks to heavy fog. Exhausting? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely.
Indian domestic travel really is an experience like no other.
Welcome to Mini Brazil.....
We were welcomed at the station with flowers and warm smiles before heading to our hotel. Soon after lunch, we met Raees Ahmed, founder of the football programme, along with Rajeev Srivastav, who helped connect the initiative to the Reliance Foundation.
The concept is beautifully simple:
Get children playing football every day after school.
Kids change at school and head straight to the pitch, playing until sunset.
That evening we visited Keilo Football Club, and I’ll never forget the sight. The sun dipping behind palm trees. Nearly 150 children playing freely, laughing, competing, learning — without a care in the world. The entire community had gathered to greet us. It was emotional, powerful, and deeply inspiring.
In discussions with the leaders and coaches, I learned something important. When this project started, there wasn’t a long-term master plan. It grew organically from passion and necessity. That passion is still its driving force — but now the programme needs structure, guidance, and support to take the next step.
The potential here is enormous.
On the Grass with the Mini Brazilians....
The next morning, I had the chance to run a session with the players and share ideas with the coaches.
We began with “The Golden 8” warm-up from Tanner Speed, introducing four of the movements. I strongly believe athletic development is essential for young players who want to reach elite levels.
From there, we moved into decision-making games. My core philosophy is simple: football isn’t just physical — it’s cognitive. Players must learn to scan, process information, and make quick decisions under pressure. The more we can challenge their brains in training, the more creative and effective they become on the pitch.
We wrapped up with photos and a brilliant coaching discussion. I shared small practical ideas I love — like using headbands instead of bibs or even pirate eye patches to encourage better scanning habits. These are the conversations I thrive on. Over the past year, I’ve really begun to find my rhythm in coach education, and exchanges like this only deepen that passion.
#Trending in Shadol......
Because of our changed travel plans, we had extra time and visited a local school where five young female footballers were preparing for their first U19 national team call-up.
I spoke to around 200 students about the importance of education and how it should always be valued alongside sporting dreams. Football can open doors — but education keeps them open.
Later, we met with the local commissioner and politicians to discuss what we had seen and the advice we had shared. What struck me most was the collective belief in football here. Everyone — from officials to hotel staff — seemed emotionally invested in the sport’s growth.
I even found myself giving interviews on local TV about Mini Brazil. By the time we returned to the hotel, staff were asking for photos. Slightly embarrassing… but also a sign of just how football-mad this place truly is.
Final Thoughts......
The journey was long, but every second was worth it.
What this trip confirmed for me is that India does have a football culture. It may not always be visible on the surface, but in small pockets like Bicharpura, football is changing lives in the most profound ways.
Mini Brazil is proof that when you give young people purpose, structure, and belief, entire communities can transform.
And I left not just impressed — but inspired.
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