Causes
On the Pitch
From community grounds to some of India’s leading football academies
2015
THE FIRST BREAKTHROUGH
SOFE’s first major competitive success came at the Star Sports Young Heroes 2015, where its children, representing their school, competed against 63 other schools to become Kolkata Champions.
The team subsequently progressed to the National Quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Chandigarh.
The same year, Bijay Mondal, one of the players from that champion team, was selected for the Bengal U15 Santosh Trophy Team.
It was an early indication of what access to regular training and competitive opportunitie
2019
FROM SOFE TO EAST BENGAL CAPTAIN
Bijay’s progression continued, moving steadily along a path of improvement and achievement.
In 2019, Bijay Mondal not only became Captain of East Bengal U19, but he also made a significant mark by representing the club in the highly competitive U19 I-League, facing various formidable opponents and showcasing his exceptional skills on the field. For SOFE, his journey was tremendously significant not only because of the outstanding achievement itself, but also because younger players could see someone from their own community progressing through one of Indian football’s biggest clubs. This served as an inspiring example for many aspiring athletes who dreamed of making it big in sports, proving that dedication and hard work can indeed lead to success.
2022
AKASH’S JOURNEY TO BENGALURU
One of SOFE’s most significant individual journeys began when Akash Mondal was selected for the Bengaluru FC Residential Academy in 2022. Akash comes from a family of very modest means. His father passed away before the COVID pandemic, while his mother worked at a local nursing home. At one point, the possibility of leaving his village to pursue football at one of India’s leading academies seemed far removed from his circumstances. The opportunity changed that trajectory.
Akash moved to Bengaluru and entered a full-time professional football development environment. Four years later, he has developed into one of the leading players in Bengaluru FC’s U16 team. His journey represents what SOFE ultimately seeks to create: not simply football training, but access to opportunities that may otherwise have remained beyond a child’s reach.
2023
ANOTHER STEP FORWARD
In 2023, Babushona Mondal was selected for East Bengal U15, adding another professional club pathway to SOFE’s growing list of player progressions.
This accomplishment not only highlights the talent and hard work of Babushona but also showcases the effectiveness of SOFE’s development programs in nurturing young athletes. The East Bengal U15 team, known for its competitive spirit and strong training regimen, provides an excellent environment for young players to hone their skills and gain invaluable experience.
As SOFE continues to support its players, this milestone reflects the dedication of the coaches and staff in fostering a positive learning atmosphere where young talent can thrive and excel in the sport. Babushona’s journey with East Bengal promises to be an exciting chapter in her burgeoning football career, inspiring many young athletes in the community.
2024
THE PATHWAY EXPANDS
The following year saw multiple SOFE players receive opportunities at leading Kolkata clubs.
Pappu Halder, Sayan Mondal and Arman Sardar were selected for the East Bengal U13 team. Rahul Haldar was selected for the Mohun Bagan Super Giants Reserve Team. Akash Pramanik also earned an opportunity to trial with RoundGlass Punjab FC.
For SOFE, trial opportunities are an important part of player development. Not every trial results in selection,
but reaching these stages gives children valuable exposure to higher levels of football and an opportunity to compete for places that may once have appeared inaccessible.
2025
THREE PLAYERS ENTER A RESIDENTIAL ACADEMY
After representing East Bengal U13, the journeys of Pappu Halder, Sayan Mondal and Arman Sardar progressed further when all three were selected for the South United FC Residential Academy in 2025.
All three come from families of modest means. Today, their development extends far beyond daily football training. Within the residential academy environment, their education, nutrition, football development and overall grooming are being supported together.
They train in a professional environment under experienced Indian and international coaches, gaining access to a standard of structured development and exposure that would have been extremely difficult for their families to provide independently. For SOFE, this is where football development begins to create a wider social impact.
2026
MORE DOORS OPEN
SOFE’s player pathway continued to grow in 2026. Shibnath Mondal, Somojit Mondal and Subrata Paik were selected for Mohammedan SC U16. Rahul Das (Goalkeeper) was selected for the Mohun Bagan Super Giants U16 team. Refaz Ahmed Laskar was selected for the Bhawanipore FC U14 team. Bishal Haldar and Somojit Mondal also received trial opportunities with FC Madras.
The year marked another major residential-academy milestone when Tirtha Mondal, Siddhartha Mondal and Subrata Paik were selected for the South United FC Residential Academy. Like Pappu, Sayan and Arman before them, they come from families where access to such an environment would otherwise have been extremely difficult.
Today, these SOFE players have access to an ecosystem that looks after their football, education, nutrition and overall development, while giving them the opportunity to train under high-quality Indian and international coaches. For their families, these opportunities can be transformative. For SOFE, they demonstrate how grassroots football, when supported with the right pathways, can influence the direction of a child’s life.
Football tournaments participated in
Tournaments won
Reached the finals in every tournament entered.
Players represented across divisions of Calcutta Football League
Players have represented different clubs in the Nursery League
CREATING PATHWAYS THROUGH FOOTBALL
For some, it may mean joining a football academy and pursuing the sport at a professional level. From the Kolkata championship in 2015 to today, the journey has reinforced one of SOFE’s core beliefs:
A child’s circumstances should never limit their talent.
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