The Dervan Energia Girls’ Football Tournament (Under-17) was inaugurated with great enthusiasm at the SVJCT Sports Academy, Dervan. The tournament is being organised from 15 January to 18 January 2026 and has attracted 11 teams from across the country. Teams from the states of Karnataka and Goa, along with districts such as Mumbai, Kolhapur, Pune and Ratnagiri, are participating in the competition.
The tournament was formally inaugurated by Mr Umesh Madan, Retired Deputy Secretary (Mantralaya), by breaking a coconut, in the presence of Ratnagiri District Sports Officer Mr Vijay Shinde, who conducted the ceremonial toss to mark the commencement of the event. On this occasion, Sports Organiser Shripad Patil, members of the SVJCT’s Sports Coordination Committee including Prashant Sawant, Yogesh Vichare, Nilesh Shedge, Dinesh Pujari, Vijay Jadhav and Dnyanesh Jadhav, along with Sports Director Mr Shreekant Paradkar and other dignitaries, were present.
On the opening day, the first match was played between Sanjeevan S.A. (B) and Saint Thomas Ratnagiri, in which Sanjeevan S.A. (B) registered a convincing 4–3 victory. In the second match, S3 Soccer Academy defeated Phaltan Gymkhana by 6–4, displaying an impressive performance.
Football has gained immense popularity across all states of India, with a noticeable rise in the participation of girls in the sport. Young players from various regions actively take part in competitive tournaments to showcase their skills. However, quality competitions that provide good infrastructure, well-maintained grounds, proper accommodation and meals, and a disciplined environment—especially for women and underage girls—are still limited. Moreover, such tournaments often offer minimal prize money and trophies. With the sole objective of encouraging young talent and providing maximum opportunities, the SVJCT Trust has consistently taken the initiative to organise sporting competitions.
When teams from outside Maharashtra visit the naturally rich Konkan region, the quality and spirit of the game further flourish. Tournaments of this nature play a vital role in nurturing interest in outdoor sports among young girls and contribute significantly to their overall physical development. All matches in the tournament will be played in a league format. The winning team will be awarded cash prizes and an attractive trophy, while players demonstrating exceptional skills will also be honoured with special trophies. The technical responsibility of the tournament has been undertaken by Match Commissioners Mr Rajendra Raut from Kolhapur and Mr Mukul Soman from Mumbai.
