For these women, football has more kicks than marriage
KENDRAPARA: Women footballers sweating it out on the field is a common sight in Aul block of Kendrapara district. Besides jobs offered by various authorities for the players, the women are attracted by pleasure and spirit of the game.
For young girls of the block, marriage comes second in their agenda, next to football. Moved by their passion towards the sport, their parents are also in no hurry to get their daughters married. On the contrary, they want the girls to excel in the game. “All girls from Aul dream of wearing the India jersey”, said Susant Kumar Mallick, a coach. Mallick said earlier, several promising players quit the game in their early twenties after they got married.
“However, now the women footballers are determined to play for the country and State. Football is more important for them than marriage”, he said, adding most women players who have represented the State or country ended up getting Government jobs under sports quota. There have been several instances of some players spurning marriage proposals to pursue their dream, he claimed. Sinulata Sahoo (23) of Kantipur village under Aul block has participated in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Football Championship in 2014 at Vietnam and senior India women’s football cup. She says football is more important for her than marriage.
“I will not quit football even after marriage. I will only agree to marry if my husband and his family members allow me to continue playing the game that has given me a lot,” Sahoo said, adding she was recently selected as a police constable. “But football is my priority and I will keep seeking the help of authorities for continuing the game”, said the youngster.
But there are cases where dreams have ended abruptly. Kausalya Barik of Lokapada under Aul block had represented India in the under-19 AFC tournament in Vietnam and Jordan. But she hung up the boots after marriage two years back.
However, there are others who continue pursuing their dreams even after marriage. Alochana Senapati, who has represented the State and country, said, “I continue playing even two years after marriage. My in-laws and husband are supporting me,” she said. Around 30 women footballers from the block have managed to get Government jobs after representing the State and country in football. “A player’s job is to play and not sit in office or cook for the family. The authorities should understand a footballer’s priority is to win medals for the country and State and not spend time in offices”, feels Debendra Sharma, Aul legislator and former vice-president of State Women Football Association.