KIYG: Haryana women eye a big push in football

Haryana girls and women have been a force in wrestling, boxing, shooting, hockey, athletics and shooting. They have a presence in football too, but the Khelo India Youth Games shows their keenness to take bigger strides.

On Monday, it was 44 degrees Centigrade in Chandigarh, but it didn’t deter the girls as the hosts faced Mizoram in the U-21 football competition. Haryana’s Santosh, who was in the India senior team camp last month, Nisha and Aarti—all played in the Indian Women’s League—featured in beating Mizoram 3-0 for their second win.

A farmer’s daughter, Santosh eyes a long India career. “Playing for India will give me a job and I can inspire other girls in my village,” she says. Her idol Sanju Yadav, an India player, also comes from her village Alakhpura.

“Football is gaining popularity in Haryana, especially among young girls and women. Earlier, wrestling and boxing were the sports which drew women from the state. The girls are athletic and hungry to shine. Even the state government is offering jobs to women footballers,” says Haryana coach Pooja Joon, 37, a former India player. “Most girls are from a poor background but want to make a career out of sport.”

“The AIFF has sent scouts to watch our matches in the Khelo Games. So, I want to do well and leave a mark. Winning gold will be a great thing,” said Nisha, who was in India’s U-18 team.

In the last edition, Haryana women won the U-21 and the U-18 titles. Ritu Rani, who plays for India and is also from Alakhpura, feels Haryana can be the best nursery for Indian women’s football. “The number of coaches has gone up. The girls want to just play football.” Many academies have come in places like Alakhpura, Sadalpur, Mangali, Jhajjhar and Karnal, contributing players to the U-17, U-19 and the senior national pool.

Haryana lead medal count

Hosts Haryana won four more wrestling gold, replacing Maharashtra atop the medals table on Day 2 of KIYG. They won two weightlifting events and one shooting, yoga, cycling and gatka titles as well. In wrestling, Ravinder (60kg), Narender (71 kg), Suraj (55kg) and Savita (women’s 61kg) were Haryana’s winners. Haryana’s Shiva Narwal and Samrat Rana made it a 1-2 in the 10m air pistol in the shooting competition held at the Karni Singh Range in New Delhi.

Medal count (top 3)

State G S B Total

Haryana 16 11 18 45

Maharashtra 12 12 13 37

Manipur 10 3 1 14

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