The opening day of the RevSportz Empowerment Cup 2025 saw a goal fest at the Bhawanipore Club Dakshineswar Young Men Association Ground as both the contests produced eleven goals combined. The first game of the day saw United Kolkata Sports Club humble K Mahila FC Joypur 9-0 while the second encounter saw an even affair between Adibashi Unite Shyamnagar and Matribhumi Soccer Club Asansol. The game ended 1-1 after regulation time and the Shyamnagar side advanced to the next round after a 5-4 win in penalties.
UKSC, a professional side based in Kolkata, which participates in both women’s and men’s national leagues, were certainly heavy opponents for the academy side based out of Joypur, Purulia. Formed with young girls from underprivileged backgrounds in remote Purulia villages, K Mahila FC’s story is one of passion and overcoming adversity. Players coming from humble backgrounds, mainly farmers, manage their sport beside other family chores.
Two of their players, Chhaya Karmakar and Sonamoni Mahato, caught the attention with a tinge of red vermillion on their forehead — married. Now, in 2025, this isn’t a taboo perhaps in the urban areas, but in certain remote parts, life isn’t the same.
With family and in-laws’ support, Chhaya and Sonamoni are breaking the barriers. “We started playing football at an early age of 10”, said Chhaya as her teammate echoed the same for herself. “We used to play with the boys of our village because there weren’t many girls who were into football.” However, in recent days, the number is increasing, as they mentioned.
“Our families supported our passion for football — both, paternal side and the in-laws”, said one while the other mentioned the same, shy of the camera. “But, life after marriage is a bit different. There are a lot of other responsibilities as well”, said Sonamoni. “However, we manage and our partners also support our passion”, her friend added.
The second match was a much more evenly-contested affair between two decent sides. Some of the players are professionals, who play for several national-level clubs. Mariyam Khatun and Rupali Bauri led Shyamnagar and Asansol sides’ respectively— both of them have been playing the Football Carnival since season 1.
MSC Asansol perhaps dominated most of the game, taking a lead in the first half after their goalkeeper made a mistake in moving the ball forward. Lakshmi Hansda made no mistake in sending the ball to the back of the net from an acute angle in a lofted attempt. With minutes left from regulation time, the Shyamnagar side won a free kick. In a world-class left footed curler from 25-yards, Tanisha Biswas equalised, which won her the player of the match award. “I requested my coach and captain to let me take the shot”, she said. “I had a certain belief that I would score”, she added.
The tie-breaker saw the Shyamnagar side win 5-3, but all the four teams in day 1 had their stories of empowerment. With promise for more spectacles on the ground and inspirational stories off it, the Empowerment Cup 2025 kicked off in style.
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