Shahdol’s Tribal Village Has Produced 80 National Football Players, Modi Reveals on Podcast
“For four generations, this village has lived and breathed football,” says PM Modi in conversation with Lex Fridman
📍 New Delhi, March 16: During a candid conversation with renowned podcaster and computer scientist Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a fascinating story about a hidden football powerhouse in India—a tribal village in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district, popularly known as ‘Mini Brazil’.
✔️ The village has produced nearly 80 national-level players.
✔️ Football has been passed down through four generations.
✔️ Annual matches attract over 25,000 spectators.
🔹 Modi’s Discovery of ‘Mini Brazil’
🗣️ “I was surprised when they told me, ‘We are from Mini Brazil.'”
Modi recounted his visit to Shahdol, a tribal-dominated district in Madhya Pradesh, where he encountered a large group of young boys, teenagers, and even older players all dressed in football uniforms.
✔️ His curiosity led him to ask them about their background, and their unexpected answer amazed him.
✔️ They told him that their village has been playing football for four generations and has produced 80 national-level players.
🚀 “Their entire village is dedicated to football. It’s not just a game for them—it’s their legacy,” Modi said.
🔹 Football Fever in the Heart of India
📌 The Prime Minister further revealed that this village’s annual football matches draw over 20,000 to 25,000 spectators from surrounding areas, a number usually seen in major league matches.
✔️ “Football is not just about passion. It teaches teamwork, discipline, and unity. I see India’s growing love for football as a positive sign for the future.”
✔️ He emphasized that while India is globally known for cricket, football is deeply rooted in many lesser-known regions, particularly in tribal areas, West Bengal, Kerala, and the Northeast.
🔹 Key Takeaways
✔️ Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district has a deep-rooted football culture.
✔️ The village, dubbed ‘Mini Brazil,’ has produced 80 national-level footballers.
✔️ Football is a generational legacy in this tribal community.
✔️ The game is growing beyond traditional strongholds like Kerala and Bengal.
✔️ India’s football culture is slowly but steadily gaining momentum.
📢 Could ‘Mini Brazil’ be a future talent hub for Indian football?