Barbil (Odisha): ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) under its CSR initiative has organised the 14th Thakurani Challenger Inter-State football Tournament at Barbil in association with Nehru Sport Club, Dalki. About 32 Football Clubs from Jharkhand, West-Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha participated in this tournament.
The final match was played between Barbil Football Club, Odisha and Bhuyan Football Club, Jharkhand in which Barbil Football Club won the title with 1-0.

Champua MLA Minakshi Mahanta, chairman Barbil Municipality Laxman Mahanta and mines manger-Thakurani Pramod Misha were present during the award ceremony.


AM/NS India supported the participants with jersey and also provided necessary support for players from other states. In line with promoting sports in the region, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India supported tournament by providing sports jersey, playground preparation, light and sound, food, logistic arrangement for players coming from other States and provided prizes such as bicycle, trophy in 18 various categories like player of the match, player of tournament, Best Goalkeeper, Best defender, Best Striker. To mark the closure of the tournament, a cultural event was organized wherein folk-dance, and music were performed by the artists.

AM/NS India is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, two of the world’s leading steel manufacturing organisations.