Access, opportunity, inclusion — Chennai Kaalpandhu League’s mantra for sustained grassroots development

The Chennai Kaalpandhu League is an U-13 grassroots football tournament for government school students, and its 2026 edition had over 53 teams competing for the title.

Updated : Sep 13, 2026 12:31 IST , Chennai - 3 MINS READ

Over 750 young footballers from 34 government schools participated in the Chennai Kaalpandhu League, which is running in its sixth edition in 2026. | Photo Credit: R. Mahima Ram

The sixth season of Chennai Kaalpandhu League (CKL) concluded on Friday at Pavendar Bharathidasan Play Field, Shenoy Nagar, bringing together over 750 young footballers from 34 government schools across Chennai.

The league, an under-13 grassroots football tournament for government school students in Chennai, was backed by LatentView Analytics and ran for a week, comprising 53 teams across the boys’ and girls’ categories.

Players of Government Higher Secondary School, Manali celebrates winning the boys’ title at CKL 6 in Chennai. | Photo Credit: R. Mahima Ram

Former India captain Aditi Chauhan and ex-Chennaiyin FC midfielder Edwin Vanspaul were among notable attendees on the final day.

“I think football is a great grassroots inclusion sport because fundamentally speaking, you can play barefoot with (just) a ball,” Radhika Yelkur from Sportz Village Foundation, the implementation organisation behind CKL, said.

On the final day of the event, the Government Higher Secondary School, Manali beat Chennai Middle School, Milk Colony 3-1 to win the boys’ title, while Government Model Higher Secondary School, Arumbakkam lifted the women’s title, beating Chennai Higher Secondary School, Washermanpet 1-0.

“CKL is giving these young players a wonderful opportunity to play, compete and enjoy the game,” Aditi said. “When children get access to platforms like this, it can really encourage them to take up sport, build confidence and discover their talent.”

File photo: Former India captain Aditi Chauhan was present at the event and praised the initiative for encouraging youngsters to take up football. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

While initiatives such as the CKL create proven opportunities for young footballers to take their initial steps into professional sport, the larger challenge at the grassroots level begins with something more fundamental: access, something the league organisers are looking to strengthen.

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“This is a fairly good ground. But if it’s not well looked after, there might be broken glass, and then it’s not safe for people. Or it may not be well lit, and therefore it’s not safe for children late at night if it’s not well lit. So, there’s a basic level of access,” Yelkur added.

“After access, there is the whole programming. You have a curriculum and coaches to teach you that. We go to school, a math curriculum and its teacher are a given, but a sports curriculum and a PE teacher are not. Physical health is important for children.”

Government Model Higher Secondary School, Arumbakkam lifted the women’s title at CKL Season 6, beating Chennai Higher Secondary School, Washermanpet 1-0. | Photo Credit: R. Mahima Ram

It is here that CKL wants to create a effective platform, not just in Chennai but in other cities in India as well.

“These kids would not be here and be playing without this program. Every year, you start to see the skill level increase. Because now, they’ve seen it; they’ve played in it. Some of them are probably first-year players. But some of them have played for two to three years. So, they’re getting better at it,” Yelkur explained.