A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias

CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with a sweet and innocent smile – never too eager to start a conversation unless required.
Yet, there is something about this girl, who hails from the Purba Bardhaman district in West Bengal, that makes her different from most others of her age. Behind her shy look and timid approach, there is a kind of glistening determination in her eyes that clearly marks her as a very special person unmistakably dissimilar to an average girl of her age.
Sonali wasn’t born with a silver spoon; her journey in life had never been a smooth one. Having been born in a tribal family, that always struggled to put enough food on the table, Sonali was not expected to progress much in life. Yet, the teenaged midfielder, today, is in the National camp in Chennai for the India U-20 Women’s Team which is currently preparing for the upcoming SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from February 3-9, 2023.
Soren has a fascinating tale to tell. She started playing football at the age of eight and instantly became a victim of ridicule and taunt as a girl was not supposed to play football in the society she had been brought up in. But nothing could deter her from achieving her goal; she was the first woman footballer from her tribe in the district to make it to the India Under-17 National Women’s Team camp back in 2019.
“When I started playing football, people used to talk a lot behind my back. But I was determined and never gave them undue importance. I knew I had to work hard to achieve my target and continued making all efforts to play and improve as a footballer.
“Well, it wasn’t easy. My father is a daily wager and my mother is a teacher. They had to go the distance day in day out so that I could reach where I am today. I will have to play good football for two reasons. First, I want to make my parents proud of me. And most importantly, I want to reach a level, which will break the taboo and encourage girls from my tribe to take up football,” said Sonali.
“Being in the camp gives me a lot of happiness. The food, the training, everything is so new and fresh to me. Also, we are getting trained under two top class coaches. It gives me the extra boost to perform better in each training session,” Sonali said.
While Sonali had her ways to deal with life’s difficulties, forward Tania Kanti’s journey to the National camp wasn’t easy either. She lives in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, and started playing when she was nine-year-old. She was the only girl in her village to train and practice with the boys and naturally became the target of all those people with age-old gender bias, who still believe football is not meant to be played by girls.
“I started playing with the boys and did not have any knowledge of football, but gradually started enjoying it. When the U-17 trials happened, I never thought I would get selected but it was stopped because of Covid-19, and my dream was shattered. But I never stopped training. I even used to train at my home because I knew one day my hard work will produce results. And now after two long years, I got the opportunity to prove myself. I will not leave any room for mistakes and will work hard to make a mark and win the tournament.”
In the midst of all these, the U-20 girls are also having the experience of being with the Senior Women’s National Team. They watch their seniors train at the same ground and get an opportunity to mingle with them at the dinner table or while coming back from the training session.
“It’s amazing to watch our seniors train – their dribbling skills, passing abilities and speed are something I want to learn and emulate. I really enjoy the atmosphere here in the camp. Football has given me the confidence to face people. I thank everyone – the people who organise this camp, my coaches, friends, and staff who support us every day so that we can live the life we want to,” Tania said.
Also Read: A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
Also Read: Mumbai Kenkre stun league leaders with late-winner
IC Colts Champions of 5-a-side 50+ Veterans Cup
Happy Guys veterans Football Club has organized the 5-a-side Invitational tournament for 50+ age footballers at Mira Road on 25th March. The tournament has been initiated by Mr. Pradeep Barua…
Red Bull Four to Score / Red Bull Freestyle Soccer / RedBull Neymar Jr. 5
Red Bull four to score – new Football tournament with a twist
~ Red Bull Four 2 Score gives amateur soccer players worldwide the chance to experience Red Bull´s unique ´power football´ philosophy first-hand. ~ The all-new 4 vs 4 tournament comes…
MFA Elite Corporate League: Air India soars to victory with dominant performance over Western Railway
In a thrilling encounter at the MFA Elite Corporate League, Air India picked up their second win of the season by defeating Western Railway 4-0. The game showcased Air India’s…
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…
FC Bengaluru United and Golden Threads FC Share Points in Hard-Fought Encounter
Kochi, March 27th: In a hard-fought encounter of the 2nd Division, I League qualifier, FC Bengaluru United shared points with Kerala-based, Golden Threads FC in their first away game of…
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…
Sunil Chhetri wants to score many more goals for India
IMPHAL: Two decades in Indian Football, and 84 goals for the Blue Tigers. Yet this is the first time that Blue Tigers legend Sunil Chhetri is playing a competitive match in…
Senior Women's NFC / Women Football
Maharashtra off to a flying start in Hero Senior Women’s National Football Championship
Maharashtra have made a strong start to their campaign in the 27th edition of the Hero Senior Women’s National Football Championship, winning their opening two fixtures in Group B. In…
Blue Tigers to go all out against Kyrgyz Republic in Hero Tri-Nation decider
IMPHAL: In the third and last game of the Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament, hosts India and Kyrgyz Republic will battle it out for the trophy at the Khuman Lampak Stadium…
AIFF suspends Coach Ivan, Kerala Blasters face fine and asked to issue public apology
The AIFF Disciplinary Committee, after hearing all parties involved in the tie and considering their protests and submissions issued a 10-match ban on coach Ivan Vukomanović and 4 Cr. fine…
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…
Elite Division / MDFA / 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…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…