NEW DELHI: While football fans across the globe celebrated Spain’s FIFA World Cup triumph and the stars who lit up the tournament, a remote village in India’s Jharkhand state marked the occasion with a unique grassroots competition where goats, rather than traditional trophies, became the biggest prize.
Residents of Tirilbasa village in Chaibasa, a tribal-dominated district in eastern India, organised the Rangila Star Tirilbasa Football Tournament from July 14 to 17. The event featured 64 teams from neighbouring villages and showcased the region’s passion for football alongside its rich cultural traditions.
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In the final, NCS Maudi edged Kumbaram 1-0 to lift the title. The champions received ₹15,000 in prize money along with three male goats, locally known as khassi. The runners-up earned ₹12,000 and two khassis, while third and fourth-placed teams—Kobra FC Nimdhi and Galubasa FC—received ₹9,000 and one khassi each.
Individual awards, including Man of the Match, Man of the Series and Best Goalkeeper, also carried cash prizes, although no goats were awarded in those categories.
For the Ho people, an Austroasiatic tribal community native to the region, khassis are far more than livestock—they are an integral part of community life and celebrations. Tournament organiser and goalkeeper Raj Keshri explained the significance of the prize.
“Without khassi, our celebrations are half-hearted,” Keshri said.
The tournament offered a unique blend of football and tradition, proving that while the world’s biggest competitions may hand out glittering trophies, the spirit of the game can be celebrated in many different ways.
