Indian village swaps World Cup glory for goat trophies

In the remote Indian village of Tirilbasa, football fever took a distinctly local turn, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup. From July 14 to July 17, the village in Jharkhand state's Chaibasa district hosted the Rangila Star Tirilbasa tournament, drawing 64 teams from surrounding villages.

While cash prizes were on offer, the real stars of the tournament were the goats, presented as trophies to the top-performing teams. This unique tradition is deeply rooted in the ancient tribal customs of the Ho community, native to the region. The Ho people, who call themselves "human" or "people" in their language, are an Austroasiatic group inhabiting the forests of Jharkhand, one of India's poorest states.

The tournament's finals saw NCS Maudi emerge victorious, defeating Kumbaram 1-0. NCS Maudi took home 15,000 rupees ($156) and three male goats, known locally as "khassi." Kumbaram, the runner-up, received 12,000 rupees ($125) and two goats. Even third and fourth-place teams, Kobra FC Nimdhi and Galubasa FC, were awarded cash prizes and one goat each.

Sachin Devam, captain of the winning NCS Maudi team, expressed his joy, stating, "It's the first win for our team, and we are going to celebrate it with everyone in the village. It's going to be a khassi picnic." The organizers adhere to FIFA's rulebook, employing certified referees and commentators to ensure fair play, but the trophy presentation remains a distinct nod to their cultural heritage.

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It’s the first win for our team, and we are going to celebrate it with everyone in the village. It’s going to be a khassi picnic.