Aiming to identify and promote the hidden talent in the villages, Essar Power Jharkhand Limited (EPJL) organized the Nilambar Pitambar Inter-Village Football Tournament at Chandwa. The final match was held on October 13, 2012. The tournament is named after Nilambar Pitambar, two of the heroes of the 1857 uprising, who hailed from Palamau.
The tournament was organized under the aegis of the Kisan Vikas Shramik Swalambhi Sahakari Samiti, supported by Essar Foundation. Twelve teams from various villages — including Chatro, Angarha, Ardhey and Mahuamilan — participated in the football tournament. The company prepared the football ground at Angarha near the power project site, where the tournament was organized.
Each team comprised 15 players and all were provided with a jersey and shorts for the match. The matches were organized on the pattern of league tournaments, with the teams being divided into four groups.
The final match was played between the Jamira and Chatro village teams; the former won the match in a penalty shootout, leading to a 4-3 score. Gopal Thakur of Jamira Village was declared the best player of the match and Rakesh Ganju bagged the prize for being the best goalkeeper. Mementos were also given to referees Ganesh Ganju and Jainand Ganju.
The president of the Kisan Vikas Shramik Swalambhi Sahakari Samiti, Mr. Ramdev Ganju, the chief guest on the occasion, handed the prizes to the winners, while Essar Projects head, Ramachandran Kanan, as a the special guest, handed over prizes to the runners-up team. The winning team was given the 'Winner Shield', while gold medals were given to the individual team members, while the 'Runner-up Shield' and individual silver medals were given to the the team from Chatro.
As a part of their corporate social responsibility, Essar Foundation provided the football, the goalkeeper net, and prizes.
