Indian Women’s team captain, Ashalata Devi highlights the importance of fighting spirit
NEW DELHI: The Indian Women’s National Team has been raising quite a few eyebrows of late, having earned some impressive results over the last couple of years. Captain and centre-back Ashalata Devi has been leading the side from the back with her own brand of competitive spirit.
During a candid chat with AIFF TV, Ashalata outlined the competitive spirit that she herself has, one which she tries to infuse into the rest of the team in an unrelenting manner, even during training.
“I genuinely feel that whether it is a friendly or a competitive game, there is always a winner and a loser. Nobody likes to lose, and that is the same as me. But I always tell the rest of the girls that it’s the fight that’s the most important,” said Ashalata. “If you put up your best fight and still lose, there is no shame in that. But that fighting spirit needs to be there.”
Previously, on AIFF TV, Indian Women’s National Team head coach Maymol Rocky and goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan had both spoken about Ashalata’s fighting spirit, one which she brings to the plate, even at friendly matches or fun games during training.
The Indian Women’s National Team captain explained that this fighting spirit needs to be honed, which is why it is important to fight for even the littlest of things during training and fun games as well.
“I always tell my teammates to fight for everything, even during training exercises. You enjoy the game, but you also want to win. And to win, that fighting instinct needs to come from within. That’s the most important thing,” asserted Ashalata. “If you don’t fight in these small matches, how will you put up a fight in the bigger ones?”
In fact, this fighting spirit dates back to much earlier times, when the India skipper had just started playing football, and participated in a school match that ended in a draw, and the winners were to be decided via the dreaded penalties.
“Of course neither teams scored a goal during regulation time, as all the 20 players were just running after the ball,” laughed Ashalata. “but I did take one of the penalties during the shootout and we ended up winning, and that was a great feeling. I still get that feeling when we win even to this date,” she stated.
While she maintains a feisty fighting spirit on the pitch, off it Ashalata presents a calm exterior when dealing with her teammates.
“Sometimes I do get hyper, but to take the team forward together, I have to deal with the players calmly,” Ashalata quipped. “If we are in a do-or-die situation, I never show my angst in front of the junior players. I have to work hard in order to present a calm exterior for the juniors. I try to push them to do extra even during training, and the best way to do so is by example. If I can do it, why can’t they?”
While a number of Indian Women’s Team players were training with each other via video conferencing on the internet during the COVID-19-induced Lockdown, Ashalata herself was a bit luckier, as she was training with her physio for the three months.
“After the Hero IWL (Indian Women’s League) I stayed back in Bengaluru to do some strength and conditioning training with my physio. But then the lockdown started and I had to stay there for the three months,” she said.“It was a blessing in disguise for me though, as she gave me a proper diet and a training programme, and I managed to come out of the Lockdown in a much better shape,” smiled Ashalata. “After returning home, I started following a similar training schedule given by our National Team physio to maintain fitness. I hope once the camp starts, everyone will be in top shape and hit the ground running.”
Credits: AIFF Media
Also Read: Hero ISL Fixtures out, East Bengal to make league debut at Kolkata Derby
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…