Report by Askshya Rout; Jajpur: The police officials have organized a one day long football tournament on Wednesday at Panikoili police ground in Jajpur district to woo tribals in the Maoist affected villages of Gobaraghat, Chandia, Ambagadia and other villages under Kalinganagar police station. In 2006, police shot dead 13 tribals in Ambagadia when they were protesting against TATA company ‘s land leveling works.

Since more than five years Bistapan Virodhi Manch led by Rabindra Jarakia have been fighting against the government and police in Kalinganagar areas.

But on Wednesday, Rabindra Jakaria played football along with police to easy the tension in these areas.

“Our team defeated district police team in the semi-final match and became champion in the tournament by defeating Dholapali team”, said a delighted Rabindra Jarakia.

The trust and sportsmanship that this builds in concert with self-officiating is a uniquely amazing part of ultimate that we hope to really contribute to the kids and their communities. A sporting initiative like this will always attract its critics, especially at such a sensitive time in such a sensitive place, but the ultimate aim is to allow kids to be kids, and to integrate, and learn with each other and to have fun, said Prafulla Munda of Gobarghati villager. Many tribals enjoyed the football game.

“We defeated police team in the tournament which proves that tribals are more powerful than police “, said Saruju Magu of Gobaraghati.

"To woo the tribal persons in the Maoist affected areas of Jajpur district, the police organized the football tournament in our public relation (Jana Samparak) programme", said Dr Deepak Kumar the district superintend of police .