In a world where sports often ignite transformation, Shyam Metalics and Energy Limited (SMEL), an eminent Indian metal producing company founded in 1991, expanded its focus in 2018 by launching the Shyam Metalics Football Academy in Jamuria, West Bengal, as part of its CSR initiatives. This pivotal move marked the company's dedication to various community-driven initiatives, emphasizing its commitment to uplift tribal communities. The academy swiftly secured 26 trophies within two years, showcasing its commitment to nurturing talent and holistic development.
Hosting a current cohort of 80 aspiring athletes, Shyam Metalics aims to cement its position as one of India's premier football academies by 2025, underlining its dedication to comprehensive community progress.
In an interview with TheCSRUniverse, Mr. Sumit Chakraborty, Director, Shyam Metalics, sheds light on the academy's journey and its profound impact on the tribal youth. He discusses the company's vision for fostering skills and values through sports, highlighting the strides made in building trust and engagement within the tribal communities. Mr. Chakraborty also emphasizes the pivotal role of football in enhancing self-esteem and fostering a sense of belonging, underscoring the notable achievements of the academy's players and the broader impact of the initiative.
Scroll down to read the full interview.
Q. What inspired Shyam Metalics to embark on its journey of empowering young athletes, especially from marginalized tribal communities, through sports and community development?
A. Shyam Metalics had been involved in several community projects in the area for some time, primarily focused on women-centric activities like tailoring and jute work. To engage the local male population, especially the younger generation, we decided to venture into the realm of sports. Football, being the most popular sport among the tribal population and others, was the natural choice.
Q. How does the company support sport and community development, and what specific actions, projects or programs are part of this support? How gender inclusive are these programs?
A. The company has consistently supported local tournaments and events. In 2018, we inaugurated the Shyam Metalics Football Academy for Under-14 Boys, followed by the addition of a Women's Team in 2020. With a residential hostel for 30 boys and non-residential facilities for local players, our programs aim to be inclusive. Regular scouting and talent identification programs contribute to our diverse representation, having trained over 500 players in the last 5 years, representing sub-divisions, districts, and top club teams.
Q. What are the key skills and values that tribal youth acquire through their involvement in sports and community development?
A. Through participation in sports and community development, tribal youth cultivate essential skills such as discipline, punctuality, concentration, adaptability, as well as physical fitness, strength, and mental resilience.
Q. What were the primary obstacles encountered during the implementation of this initiative, and how were they surmounted? Additionally, how did you successfully engage and persuade tribal communities, considering the cultural differences and limitations, to participate in the initiatives?
A. Communication barriers with the tribal communities presented the primary challenge initially. Overcoming this hurdle was made possible by the efforts of our company's resource persons and local coaches, who played a crucial role in establishing trust and bridging cultural gaps. Consistent scouting efforts and positive results further bolstered the initiative's credibility, leading to increased participation and engagement from the tribal communities.
Q. How do sports in this initiative boost self-esteem, foster a sense of belonging, bridge the gap with mainstream society, and develop skills and values among tribal youth?
A. In our academy, 90% of the local players come from tribal communities and small villages in and around the area. Neither did they have the necessary resources nor the guidance to pursue football. Currently, as integral members of our team, these players regularly engage in matches against teams from larger cities and other states. They display exceptional sportsmanship and a resolute winning attitude, fostering significant personal development.
Q. Why opt for football in a cricket-obsessed nation, and in this context, could you highlight notable achievements of the Shyam Metalics Football Academy, including individual player success and team accomplishments?
A. In Bengal, the enthusiasm for football surpasses that of cricket. While cricket academies are present in Kolkata and other major towns, football remains the dominant sport in suburban and rural areas, resonating deeply within every local community, particularly among tribal populations. Hence, it was crucial to prioritize a sport that already resonated with their interests.
Following are the achievements of our academy:
I. Our women's team captain, Piyali Kora, secured victory in the Kanyashree Cup with East Bengal, and later represented Mohammedan Sporting in the Women's IFA Shield. She is currently an active player for PIFA Sports in the Maharashtra Women's League, having qualified through the Mumbai Women's League with the same team.
II. Rohit Murmu, our Captain, has played for Peerless SC in the Calcutta Football League - Premier Division.
III. Sailendar Murmu has played for North Entally UTS in the Calcutta Football League - 2nd Division.
IV. Rumpa Dhara has played for Southern Samity in the Kanyashree Cup and Mohammedan Sporting in the Women's IFA Shield.
V. Payel Layek has played for New Alipore Suruchi Sangha in the Kanyashree Cup.
VI. Additionally, numerous academy players, encompassing both boys and girls, are representing subdivision and district teams across various age groups.
Q. Besides football, how does Shyam Metalics support and promote other sports and talents in the areas near its plant locations, and can you share some success stories from these efforts?
A: Apart from football, Shyam Metalics supports other sports and talents within the vicinity of its plant locations.
This year, we extended our support to three taekwondo athletes from Asansol, namely Sucheta Chatterjee, Ranjita Chatterjee, and Suprita Chatterjee, following their commendable performance in the National Junior Championship. Moreover, in Asansol, our assistance was directed towards Ziya Afreen for Rifle Shooting. In Sambalpur, we provided backing to Jhilli Barik in Athletics and Mr. Ansuman Babu, who earned a spot in the International Soft Tennis Federation - World Tour 2023, and International Soft Tennis Championship 2023. Mr. Ansuman Babu is a product of the Prtibha – A Sports Initiative Program sponsored by SMEL, Sambalpur, under CSR from 2019 to 2022. Furthermore, the Shyam Metlics Foundation will continue to sponsor his upcoming training and tournaments, undoubtedly bringing more accolades to India and the Shyam Group.
Q. You are aiming for AIFF accreditation by 2025. Could you elaborate on the steps and upgrades needed to achieve this accreditation?
A. Gaining AIFF accreditation is a demanding procedure, achieved by only a select few academies across India. To meet the accreditation requirements, we must enhance our facilities, undertake infrastructural upgrades, and aim to recruit the finest talents from Bengal and Eastern India. This step will pave the way for potential expansion in the future.
Q. Can you elaborate on any strategic partnerships or collaborations that are helping Shyam Metalics work towards its future goals and overcome challenges?
A. Currently, in the realm of sports, we have not entered into partnerships with any other organizations. However, we remain receptive to potential collaborations in the future, all in the pursuit of advancing the field of sports.
Q. How does Shyam Metalics assess the overall impact of this initiative on the well-being and future prospects of tribal youth, and what insights can you offer to others considering similar programs?
A. As a company, we perceive this initiative not as a mere program, but as a platform to nurture each player as an individual. Our focus is on assisting these young footballers in their journey towards realizing their dreams. Moreover, we have established contingency plans to address unforeseen circumstances. Injured players are offered suitable roles within the company, securing their long-term prospects.
Q. In the context of scalability, can you outline the plans and strategies Shyam Metalics has in place to expand the reach and impact of its programs beyond the current scope?
A. Shyam Metalics has plans to unveil its upcoming programs in the following months. Demonstrating a serious commitment to sports, our initiatives aim to benefit not only football but also other sports and athletes.
Q. What are your future objectives, and how do you foresee the empowerment of tribal youth through the convergence of sports and community development?
A. As mentioned earlier, forthcoming months will bring announcements regarding our future programs. Acknowledging the abundant talent in football and a few other sports among our country's tribal population and other socio-economic minorities, Shyam Metalics is dedicated to ensuring that this talent is fully harnessed and utilized.
