Fierce concentration

POONAM, 14 Football player, Sadalpur, Hisar

BECAUSE

She was part of the India under-16 Football team that won the SAFF Cup held in Bhutan in August this year. She was also part of the U-16 AFC qualifiers tournament held in Mongolia. She is a midfielder for her team.

SECRET OF SUCCESS

I am wherever I am due to my coach. One must have a passion for the game and the zeal to work hard to be successful. I am also very thankful to my parents for supporting me.

Most parents impose a hundred thousand restrictions on the girl child but my parents have always urged me to be the best version of myself that I possibly can. They have never tried to put any hurdles in my way.

THE GOAL NEXT

Our team is working very hard to bag the Subroto Cup.

MY ROLE MODEL

My role model is Oinam Bembem Devi ma’am. I think there is no Indian player who can play better than her.

BY THE WAY

I am very fond of mathematics. Dangal is my favourite movie and the song ‘Chak de India’ always sets my spirits soaring.

SECOND OPINION

“Poonam used to come to the ground to watch other girls play with fierce concentration when she was a little girl. I somehow knew she would do very well if she chose to play football. I remember she had created a fuss when she was assigned jersey number 17 but she has turned it into a popular number by her performance.” –Vinod Loyal, coach