By Shourjyani Chatterjee
The Dakshineswar Young Men’s Association Ground hosted the final of the Empowerment Cup 2025, contested between UKSC and SSB, with SSB ultimately crowned champions. Starting on 22 November, the Empowerment Cup was a showcase of talent, grit and determination. Created primarily for grassroots-level footballers who possess passion, intent and hunger but lack access to infrastructure and resources, the tournament offered a platform for young women to shine. The final day of the 2025 season featured two matches, beginning with the third-place playoff between Nita FA and JSSPS. JSSPS clinched the win, with Sanjana Oraon named Player of the Match. The tournament’s press conference took place at the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club on 20 November, featuring reputed former footballers such as Alvito D’Cunha and Kuntala Ghosh Dastidar, who shared their insights on the sport.
There has been considerable debate about the growth of Bengal football, with many fans believing the state has declined in recent years. However, when Revsportz spoke to former India footballer Ranjan Chaudhuri, he remarked, “Bengal football jekhane chilo okhanei dariye ache. Egoi ni, pichiyeo jai ni—bakira egiye geche.” (Bengal football has become stagnant). The sentiment was echoed by several coaches and prominent figures we spoke to, all of whom stressed that with proper opportunities and infrastructure, young girls would outshine the boys.
The Empowerment Cup delivered several memorable moments. In the opening match, two married footballers displayed remarkable talent, an image that challenged societal stereotypes. After all, no one would be surprised if a married man took the field. The fierce contest among the women symbolised their long fight for the right to play and be respected. The tournament showcased female referees, powerful on-field performances, and uninhibited emotion. The screaming, crying, frustration and anger reflected one simple truth: these women wanted to win. Competitors during the game, they embraced each other the moment the final whistle blew. Spectators travelled from across the city, and over one lakh people attended across the tournament. A couple from Serampore even arrived daily to cheer the players. The Empowerment Cup epitomised true sporting spirit; after Nita FA’s defeat, their coach ran over to congratulate the winning coach. Many young girls played through pain, driven by dedication to their teams. “Mujhe khelna hai, bahar nahi jana,” (I want to play, I don’t want to leave the field) was a phrase repeatedly heard through the tournament.
The closing ceremony featured a speech by RevSportz Bangla Content Head Agnijit Sen, followed by an inspiring address from Revsportz co-founder Sharmistha Gooptu. Sunita Munda of SSB earned Player of the Match in the final. Sanjana Oraon of JSSPS and Sunita Munda jointly topped the goal-scoring charts with five goals each. The Best Goalkeeper award went to Manju from SSB. Despite finishing second, Kai Rumi was named Player of the Tournament for her consistency and exceptional judgement. All awardees received Ten X You kits from Sharmistha Gooptu as a token of appreciation. In the post-match presentation, dignitaries praised the tournament and unanimously supported its continuation next year.
In the words of Sharmistha Gooptu, “Empowerment is about young girls freely playing on the field in shorts without worrying about being stared at or objectified. Empowerment is about being free and being yourself.”
Also Read: Where Voices Are Shy but Football Speaks Loudly — The Story of the Empowerment Cup
