Jharkhand girls revel in Jamshedpur’s maiden International Women’s Tournament
Jamshedpur is often better known as the Steel City of India, housing one of India’s oldest and biggest steel-producing units. In fact, any mention of the city of Jamshedpur or the state of Jharkhand is often followed by its industrial capacity.
The industrial revolution of the city also paved the way for the beautiful game being taken forward together, with the Tata Football Academy bringing through a number of top footballers in the country.
Over the last couple of years though, another revolution has been brewing in the state of Jharkhand, one that looks to take Indian Women’s Football forward together. The Senior Women’s Team had been camped in Jamshedpur for five months last year, after which the city has played a host to the U-19 and the U-17 Women’s National Teams. On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, the city witnessed history as it hosted its first women’s international match, a SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship clash between India and Nepal.
“It was such a brilliant experience to finally play in an international game in my home state for the first time,” said Astam Oraon, who hails from the Banari village in the Gumla district of Jharkhand.
“I’d like to convey my sincere thanks to the Jharkhand Government and Tata Steel for all the help they provided to put the tournament together,” she continued.
Astam, who has been a part of the national team setup now, has played a number of international matches at the junior level, and has also been a part of the Senior Women’s Team camp. However, the feeling of walking out on the pitch, to represent India in her home state was rather more special for her.
“We were of course excited when we came to the ground, but when we walked out and the cheer went up all around us, and then the national anthem started playing, that was a really special feeling. I had goosebumps,” she recalled.
Along with Astam, five other girls from Jharkhand – Amisha Baxla, Anita Kumari, Purnima Kumari, Nitu Linda and Sunita Munda – have played crucial roles for the Young Tigresses in the matches against Nepal and Bangladesh.
Sunita, who hails from Jonha in Jharkhand, was also one of the players to get her name on the scoresheet in the first match against Nepal.
“It is certainly a motivating factor to play in front of the home fans from my state, and scoring a goal in front of them was just a different feeling,” Sunita, who has also been a part of the junior national teams setup for the past few years, expressed.
“I had scored six goals in the India jersey before in various games, but the one against Nepal will always remain special to me,” she said. “My father was also a footballer at the local level in his younger days, and he was so happy to see me score. This was my sixth, but most special goal in India colours.”
Nitu Linda, who came on from the bench in her first two matches against Nepal and Bangladesh, scored a goal each in both the games.
“It was an inspiring moment for me to play and score in front of my home crowd,” said Linda. “I hope more girls from my village, Haldama, see this and take inspiration that they can all make their headway in the sport. There were perhaps not as many opportunities before, but now, if you put in your hard work, you can go far as a female footballer.”
Amisha Baxla, who has been a constant menace for the opposition down the right wing, feels that the support from the stands help to spur her on.
“It was quite a different feeling to play in such a manner. The first 10-15 minutes, I was able to find a lot of space on the right and made a few runs, and I think the fans liked that, so they started cheering every time I got the ball,” said Amisha. “I had only heard before that players talking about such cheers giving you energy, but I experienced that first hand, and it’s quite enthralling.”
Anita Kumari, who has been a more recent joinee into the junior national team fold, was able to play her first ever junior international match on Tuesday, March 15, and went on to score a stunning 25-yard long ranger against the same opponents in the second match on March 21.
“I was very nervous after being told that I would be starting. This was my first ever match in an India jersey. But my teammates gave me a lot of support, and told me to just play like I always do,” she recalled. “They told me to play without fear. It did take me 5-10 minutes to get used to it, but then I felt much better and started playing my game. I am very thankful to the authorities that we could have such an experience.”
Credits: AIFF Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: India U-18 ride Lynda Kom’s hat-trick to beat Nepal 5-1
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
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…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
Kerala Blasters FC bag winning momentum before playoffs with solid 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1…
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…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
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…
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…