East Bengal hoping to make a mark in Hero IWL debut

NEW DELHI: There is a myth that permeates Indian Women’s football, about its nascency and lack of history. It is a myth that ignores the many who played this game before it caught the eyeballs of the mainstream, diminishing their achievements and also denying them a rightful place in it. This isn’t limited to players; clubs face it too.

When East Bengal take to the field against defending champions Gokulam Kerala FC in their first game of the Hero IWL 2022-23 season, they will mark their debut in the competition. But to say that they will make a debut in women’s football, would not be right. To learn about the history of East Bengal’s forays into women’s football, perhaps there is no need to look further than their current head coach Sujata Kar.

Kar captained the club to a maiden Kolkata Women’s football league title in 2001 and was there at the same stage 22 years later, in the dugout, when they won it for a second time.

A former India international, Kar is regarded as one of the finest women footballers to have played the game in India. Years before Bala Devi broke new ground by playing for Rangers in Scotland, Kar and her teammate Alpana Seal had a similar opportunity — scouted and asked to go on trial at the German club TSV Crailsheim. While the deal eventually fell through, the experience gained was enough to tell Kar that her home country had talent, if not yet unearthed and unscouted, to succeed at the top levels of the sport.

Over the years, Kar has worked with many women’s clubs in various roles, while also staying true to her ultimate ambition of uplifting the game, by travelling to the remotest corners of West Bengal, villages in Jhargram, Purulia, and West Midnapur, to find talented footballers. India international Sangita Basfore is among those who credit Kar for her foray into the beautiful game.

When East Bengal decided to restart their foray into women’s football, there was only one person they could sensibly turn to. Kar took another road trip, this time to put together a team for the Kanyashree Cup (the new name for the Kolkata Women’s League). Her young team of relative unknowns — Murmu among others was part of the team — won the tournament for only the second time in the club’s history. Not coincidentally, Kar has been there for both, two decades apart.

And if that wasn’t enough, the real reward, as far as Kar was concerned, came soon after. Brilliant performances in the tournament catapulted Mousumi Murmu into the India U-20 squad for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Vietnam earlier this year. She made her debut against Singapore on March 7. A second Sulanjana Raul is part of the India U-17 squad that has travelled to Kyrgyzstan for the Women’s U-17 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier Round 1.

“One of the things I wanted to ensure when I took the job was that those girls from the state got a chance to play, to shine, and a platform to gain experiences,” Kar says. “There used to be a time when people would be in awe of the Bengal team, but that time has passed. I want to create opportunities for girls in the state to think of playing football as a career, and be able to sustain themselves.”

In this regard, East Bengal’s foray into the women’s game will play a bigger role than most. The club has made similar attempts before, but a long-term vision and commitment are the needs of the hour. Winning the Kanyashree Cup guaranteed East Bengal a spot in the Hero IWL, and after it was ratified by the League Committee on March 27, the club went into overdrive to start preparations.

“Our preparations have been rushed by most standards,” Kar says, “but it is encouraging that the club will be participating in the competition and no doubt will encourage more investment and sponsorship for the women’s game.”

Kar believes that encouragement for bigger clubs to invest in women’s football will come from ensuring a calendar that guarantees competition.

“The Federation has made some very progressive and historic announcements for women’s football,” she says. “But now the onus is on states, I believe to enforce them and also create calendars that will guarantee that girls play through the year. The more they play, the better they will get, and the more investment that will come in. With more tournaments, perhaps even more investors will be keen to come in and extend a hand to us. And one thing I can guarantee, if they extend one hand, our girls will put out two, to grab the opportunity and prove their mettle.”

In the immediate, East Bengal’s ‘Moshal girls’ will have to prove their mettle with the hardest test imaginable, against the defending champions and formidable opponents Gokulam Kerala. While accepting that this is perhaps the toughest way to begin a maiden IWL campaign, Kar also says that she doesn’t want to pressure the girls into a result. All she asks is that they ‘fight and play 100%’.

“Every club will go into the tournament with different ambitions,” she says. “Some want to win the title, some want to create history, catch eyeballs etc. For me, the aim is to maximise game time for local players and give them the experience of playing on this big stage, against tough opponents. They should learn a lot, and very quickly, from this experience.”

Also ReadHero I-League winner Khaimin Lhungdim yet to impress mother

Also ReadFC Goa part ways with Head Coach Carlos Pena

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…

Share

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…

Share

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.

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share