Kaziranga National Park Hosts Conservation Football

One of the most renowned wildlife sanctuaries in India is Kaziranga National Park, located in the state of Assam. This particular park is recognized for its conservation efforts of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, tigers, elephants, wild buffalo, and other species. This wildlife sanctuary is a crucial part of the preservation of the ecological balance. Kaziranga National Park, from February 6 to 22, partnered with Bola Bola Sports for All Wildlife Forever to conduct a football program that aimed to spread awareness about wildlife conservation.

This activity was conducted among the local boys and girls of the villages surrounding the park, where human-wildlife conflicts are possible. Tourists can book Kaziranga tour packages and gain information about these types of efforts to conserve wildlife as well as support development.

Partnership and Main Objective

Bola Bola Sports for All Wildlife Forever is an organization that connects sports with environmental education. It uses football to teach young people about wildlife conservation. The program believes that sports can guide youth to behave well by learning values like teamwork, discipline, respect, and responsibility. At the same time, they learn about wildlife protection in simple ways.

In 2024, Bola Bola conducted a similar football and conservation project in Zambia’s Kafue National Park. The project was a huge success, with high community engagement. Because of its success, it was conducted in other critical conservation sites, such as Kaziranga National Park.

The Kaziranga project had three major objectives.

• First, its goal is to engage local youth in healthy activities, since there are no sports programs in most villages surrounding Kaziranga.
• Second, it wanted to create awareness of wildlife protection, which was done during football training sessions.
• Third, the project sought to develop leadership, teamwork, and discipline. The football matches included discussions on respecting forests, protecting animals, and stopping illegal hunting.

This way, sports were combined with environmental education.

Event Locations and Schedule

The football and conservation program lasted for seventeen days, from February 6 to February 22. The coaching classes began on February 7 and 8 at Agoratoli Football Ground under the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division of Kaziranga National Park. In these classes, the players were trained on basic football skills like passing, dribbling, ball control, and teamwork. Coaches also spoke about wildlife conservation. They explained why animals need protection and how local people can help forest authorities.

From February 10 to February 16, coaching sessions continued in the Biswanath Wildlife Division. The main football tournament was organized on February 11 and 12 at Golia Football Ground under the Biswanath Wildlife Division. After the main tournament ended, friendly matches were organized until February 22. These friendly matches allowed more players to participate and improve their skills. They also provided additional opportunities to repeat conservation messages.

Young players came from different parts of the Biswanath district to take part in the program. Their participation showed a strong interest in football and a willingness to support conservation activities. The event was carried out in a disciplined and organized manner. The local authorities made sure that the necessary arrangements, such as ground preparation, safety, and coordination, were well taken care of.

Tournament Structure and Winners

The football competition was organized in a way that it would cater to various categories so that boys and girls of various age groups could take part. There were eight men’s teams, four women’s teams, and two Under-17 teams. This ensured that a large number of people from the local area took part in the competition. The teams played the matches in a disciplined manner. They followed the rules and accepted the decisions of the referees. The audience cheered for the teams. The atmosphere during the matches was full of energy and positivity.

In the men’s category, Biswanath Town Club won the championship. In the women’s category, Uddipta Chowra from Bedeti became champions. In the Under-17 category, JNV Sonitpur secured first position. The runner-up teams also performed strongly. In the men’s category, Golia FC finished second. In the women’s category, Sakhomata Tea Estate was the runner-up. In the Under-17 category, Golia Junior FC secured second place.

During the closing ceremony, senior players, coaches, and team leaders were honored. Awards were given not only to winning teams but also to recognize sportsmanship, dedication, and leadership. This encouraged all participants and increased their confidence.

Coaches, Officials, and Supporters

The football training sessions were led by two international coaches. Steffan Perkins from England and Alberto Marco Lozano from Spain conducted the sessions. They admired the discipline and dedication of the players. They also thanked the local forest officials and residents for their cooperation. The coaches observed that despite the limited infrastructure in rural areas, the players demonstrated a great willingness to learn and develop.

Forest officials from Kaziranga National Park played an important role in organizing the event. Ritu Paban Borah, Divisional Forest Officer of the Biswanath Wildlife Division, described the program as an important initiative that connects sports with conservation. Nayan Jyoti Gogoi, Forest Range Officer of Biswanath Ghat, explained that football brings people together from different communities and backgrounds.

The event was supported by some organizations. These included the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Biswanath Sports Association, Biswanath Football Association, Golia Village Development Committee, WWF-India, Aaranyak, NextGen Coaching, Pathkind Labs Biswanath, and Chuk Chuk. The support of these organizations ensured that the event was well organized. And the event was attended by forest officials & locals.

Strengthening Conservation Initiatives

Many villages around Kaziranga National Park are located near the forest, which can sometimes cause human-wildlife conflicts. Awareness and education are important for solving these types of issues. If young people are educated on the significance of wildlife conservation, they can pass on the information to their families and other people. This will help improve cooperation between the villagers and the forest department.

People who understand conservation will not support activities such as poaching and deforestation. Initiatives such as the football project show that conservation is not only about protecting animals but also about engaging the community and developing young people. This enhances the image of Kaziranga National Park as a place that takes care of both animals and people.

Tourists who book Kaziranga tour packages may also be interested in responsible tourism. Since they are aware that the Kaziranga National Park is involved in youth development and conservation awareness, they feel assured about visiting the place. Such programs highlights the need to conserve nature and support the local community. Sports programs like this are an effective way to promote both youth development and environmental education