Haryana women eye a big push in football

CHANDIGARH: Haryana 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 a keenness to take bigger strides.

On Monday, the sweltering heat in Chandigarh didn’t deter the girls as Haryana faced Mizoram in the U-21 women’s football competition. Haryana’s Santosh, who was in the India camp last month, Nisha and Aarti—all played in the Indian Women’s League—helped beat Mizoram 3-0, their second win.

A farmer’s daughter, Santosh eyes an 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, is also from her village Alakhpura. “Football is gaining popularity in Haryana, especially among girls and women. Earlier, wrestling and boxing were the sports that 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. “Most girls are from a poor background but want to make a career out of sport.”

Says Nisha, “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.”

In the last edition, Haryana won the women’s U-21 and U-18 titles. Ritu Rani, another India player from Alakhpura, feels Haryana can be the best nursery for Indian 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.

Haryana lead in medals

Hosts Haryana won four more wrestling gold to replace Maharashtra atop the medals table. They won two gold in weightlifting and one in shooting, yoga, cycling and gatka. In wrestling, Ravinder (60kg), Narender (71 kg), Suraj (55kg) and Savita (women’s 61kg) won. Haryana’s Shiva Narwal and Samrat Rana made it a 1-2 in 10m air pistol.