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WINNER OF THE 2025 EKAMRA SPORTS LITERATURE FESTIVAL SPECIAL JURY AWARD

Khep, 7s and Basti

Football in India is alive and kicking!

Not because of a few famous clubs and the top competitions, but because of the regional tournaments, local heroes and the people who keep football culture alive.

The hugely popular Khep games in Kolkata, the hotly contested 7s league in Kerala, the many Basti tournaments in Meghalaya―all of these have kept the ball rolling. And that’s not all. Be it in hilly Mizoram and Nagaland, amidst the lush greens of Punjab, the sandy beaches of Thoothoor in Tamil Nadu or the fabled villages of Goa―football holds a special place in the hearts of many.

Sacred Grounds is an attempt to tell the stories of the many unique Indian football cultures. It is an effort to shine a spotlight on local heroes and other names lost in history or restricted to certain silos, to narrate their fables and myths, and archive their unknown and forgotten stories. It explores the history, folklore, terrain and culture of different corners of India through the prism of football, using the sporting culture and values to reflect the society and its people.