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Siwan Witnesses Historic All-Women-Led Football Trials as IKF Breaks Barriers for Girls in Bihar
In a historic first for Bihar, India Khelo Football hosted an all-women-led football trial in Siwan, empowering young girls with free access, female leadership, and national-level exposure.
India Khelo Football (IKF)
Siwan, Bihar - In a landmark moment for grassroots Indian football, India Khelo Football (IKF), in collaboration with Tyger Capital, hosted a groundbreaking football trial in Siwan, one that was led entirely by women and organized exclusively for girls. As part of Tyger IKF Season 5, the event not only brought football to a region where such opportunities are rare for girls, but also did so by turning every operational role over to female leaders.
This wasn’t just a trial, it was a statement. In a state
where girls often remain on the sidelines of sport, IKF turned the spotlight
toward them, and made sure no one was left behind because of gender or
background.
Access
for All: IKF’s Commitment to Girls
In a state like Bihar, where cultural and financial barriers
often restrict girls’ participation in sport, IKF has taken a decisive step
to change the narrative.
As part of its deep-rooted commitment to inclusivity, IKF
has waived the registration fee for all girls participating in Season 5 trials
across the country. This policy is grounded in IKF’s belief that talent
should never be stifled by affordability. By eliminating financial
barriers, the organization is opening up structured, national-level football
exposure to girls from all walks of life, many of whom are stepping onto a
proper football pitch for the first time.
“This isn’t just about sport,” said Nirja Shekhawat, National
Operations Head at IKF.
“It’s about telling every girl that she belongs, not just on the pitch, but at
the heart of the game. When girls see women leading every aspect of football,
from logistics to scouting, it changes what they believe is possible.”
Leadership
from the Ground Up
The Siwan trial was brought to life by Sanskriti Yadav,
a IKF Trial Manger, who managed the entire operation.
“Most girls arrived nervous. Many had never seen a trial
organized only for them, and certainly not by a team of women,” said Sanskriti.
“But they left with pride. That’s the power of representation, when they see
someone like them running the show, it sparks something inside.”
The trial received strong local support from Sanjay Pathak, founder of Rani Laxmi Bai Academy, who shared:
“This is the first time Siwan has seen something like this,
girls organizing and girls playing, with no interference or judgment. It’s
changing mindsets, and that’s just as important as changing lives.”
National
Talent on Watch
Among the highlights of the day was the presence of Ansha
Singh, former India women’s national team defender and an IKF
Partner Scout. With her national experience and grassroots lens, she
brought a rare blend of vision and validation to the event.
“The technical quality, energy, and courage I saw were
inspiring,” Ansha said. “These girls have it, what they need now is belief,
consistency, and continued platforms like IKF to push them forward.”
IKF:
Building a Football-First, Player-First India
India Khelo
Football is not a club or an academy. It is a neutral, not-for-profit
movement building the largest ecosystem of talent identification,
mentorship, and placement for footballers across India, free of any
commercial interests.
Since its inception,
IKF has:
- Conducted
trials in 20+ Indian states and 100+ cities and Villages
- - Scouted
and shortlisted thousands of players from rural and underserved areas
- - Connected
selected players with top ISL and I-League clubs
- - Maintained
a zero-revenue-sharing model to keep the sport player-focused and
meritocratic
Girls, in particular, have received free participation access, as IKF believes their dreams deserve encouragement, not barriers.
A Model
to Replicate
The Siwan trials stand as a blueprint for what
inclusive, sustainable, and gender-forward grassroots development can look like,
a rare combination of operational excellence, community leadership, and
emotional impact.
“What we did in Siwan isn’t a one-off. It’s a model,” said
Nirja Shekhawat. “And we’ll replicate it wherever a girl is waiting to play but
has no place to go.”
When women lead, girls rise.
When trials become platforms, dreams become possible.
And when football is truly democratized, the entire country wins.
