Rupanti Munda: Captaining change

Rupanti, born in Dhoti Village in Latehar District of Jharkhand, having lost her father, faced a further crisis when her brother was killed in Naxalite violence. Rupanti began working at the farm to make ends meet. Rupanti’s story changed when she came in touch with Aahan. During one of her visits, Dr Rashmi Tiwari found Rupanti working on the farm and learnt about her desire to play football. Seeing her talent and interest in sports. Aahan helped her get football training.

Intervention

Rupanti was selected for the Aahan Udaan Fellowship program, which helped her access football coaches and attend women leadership workshops. This gave her the strength and inspiration to start coaching girls in football. She also represented India in an international football game organised in Oslo, Norway.

Impact

Aahan’s sports training gave her a new lease on life. Rupanti is now the lead coach and co-ordinator of two football clubs registered with AIFF.
Rupanti has become captain of Aahan Bravehearts Football team which comprises girls who are survivors of Gender Based Violence. She is a role model for girls in the village and has paved the path for many girls to play football. This has resulted in a substantial decrease in the incidents of child marriage, trafficking and child marriage. Today she is our our lead coach and also the co-ordinator of two football clubs registered with AIFF.
Becoming a professional football player, a job opportunity, and the chance to be a change maker. Aahan’s leadership development program has helped Rupanti build her communication, public speaking, teamwork skills and given her a voice. Aahan Foundation has given her platforms to share issues faced by tribal girls.
An advocate of the Aahan Foundation’s sports for development program, Rupanti travels to New Delhi to speak with corporates and media, sharing issues faced by tribal girls and discussing ways to solve them through sports.