Amoolya, the supermom of Hero IWL balances motherhood and football with elegance
Bangalore United FC captain Amoolya has shown the way for female athletes when she returned to the sport after giving birth to her daughter NiveDa, a little over a year ago.
The USA Women’s team is rife with examples of female athletes who returned to the sport after giving birth to a child. The likes of Shannon Boxx, Christie Pearce and Amy Rodriguez have all shown the way. Perhaps the biggest example of the same from tennis sensation Serena Williams. However, India also has one such athlete, who has made a similar comeback in the 2018-19 Hero Indian Women’s League.
Bangalore United FC captain Amoolya has shown the way for female athletes when she returned to the sport after giving birth to her daughter NiveDa, a little over a year ago. In fact, the former India International had returned to training when her daughter was just two-and-a-half months old. Even as she is a doting mother, she cannot stay away from Football.
“It (the willingness to return to football) has to come from within. Every pregnancy is different. So I felt that I can come back when my daughter was two-and-a-half months. I started with some jogging, then some touches, and then I started playing again,” said Amoolya. “My family, and my daughter inspires me.”
Amoolya, who had given birth to her daughter a little over a year ago, feels that this Mother’s Day is a special one for her, as this is not only the first time that she is playing in the Hero IWL, but also playing in a professional tournament for the first time as a mother.
BABY IN HER TUMMY AND A FOOTBALL AT HER FEET
Back in 2017, Amoolya was representing Karnataka in the Women’s National Football Championships in Punjab. It was only about a month after the tournament that she realised that she played the Championship when she was pregnant.
“I totally forgot about the Nationals when I found out that I was pregnant. It was only recently that I was doing the calculations in my head, that I realised, oh my God, I was pregnant during the Nationals,” Amoolya recollected.
However, pregnancy did not mean that the former India international would lose touch. She used to go watch her husband play local matches, and even play small touches with a football in the early stages. Even when she was five months pregnant, against everyone’s advice, Amoolya insisted on playing whatever little football she could.
“One of my teammates used to come to my home when was five-months pregnant, and I used to practice heading with her,” said Amoolya. “She used to try and force me not to do it, but I told her, at least I can head the ball. Pet mein toh nahi lagna hai(it won’t hurt my tummy).”
‘FAMILY WAS OF HUGE SUPPORT’
Amoolya gives a lot of the credit for her achievement to both her husband, and her mother-in-law, who encouraged her to get back to the ‘beautiful game.’
“My mother-in-law and my husband have really supported me a lot after my marriage. Now that I have a child, and I am playing football, a lot of the credit goes to my mother-in-law. I would not be able to move an inch without her,” informed Amoolya. “She’s the one who takes care of the baby while I am playing or training.” she added.
In fact, Amoolya’s mother-in-law has even flown down to Ludhiana to watch her daughter-in-law play. Bangalore United’s match against FC Kolhapur City was the first time that she saw Amoolya play a game, a match that ended 1-1. “She’s so innocent that she came up to me after the game and asked, ‘Did you win?’,” Amoolya laughed.
‘ANYBODY CAN PLAY FOOTBALL’
Amoolya believes that mothers should find a way to keep balancing their family life and sports. The former India International feels that for female athletes, it is the sport that gives that the identity and one should never lose that.
“Anybody can play football. I feel that football is for everyone. The only thing is that you need to have fitness. If a mother is playing a professional league, they need all the support from their family that they can get,” said Amoolya. “I was lucky.”
“I would never leave the game. I may be a mother or a wife, or a daughter, but football has given me the identity that defines me that I would carry on to my next generation.”
– Courtesy of AIFF media
For fixtures, group standings, feature articles, match reports and tournament stats on Hero IWL, visit here–> Hero Indian Women League
Feature Article: Ball girls of Odisha ‘aim to turn into Ball players’
Also Read: Hero IWL: Bangalore United FC hold FC Kolhapur City to a 1-1 draw
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
Mumbai City FC produce miraculous comeback to seize victory in semi-final clash against FC Goa
Goa, April 24: Mumbai City FC inspired a sensational late resurgence to come back from 2-0 down to win the first leg of their semi-final fixture against FC Goa by…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
Chembur United – JFC ride on Pradnesh’s late stunner to beat Carmelites FC 1-0.
In a thrilling MFA 1st Div encounter between Chembur United (JupiterFC) and Carmelites FC, the game saw both teams create several scoring opportunities, but a late goal by Chembur United…
Odisha FC wins their first-ever playoff match to qualify for semi-final with comeback victory against Kerala Blasters FC
Bhubaneswar, April 19: Odisha FC qualified for the semi-final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 by beating Kerala Blasters FC by 2-1 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar tonight. Accordingly,…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…