Where Do We Go Now - Women's National Team

While the All India Football Federation (AIFF) wants a fresh start for the women’s national team, which they felt was on a downhill, Shukla feels that they haven’t been given enough opportunities.

Speaking to Goal.com, Shukla Dutta said, “Foreign teams have better facilities and are given a lot of exposure. Before we are to play a game against any foreign team, we don’t have any exposure trips. There are no friendlies organised.

“How do they expect the team to win against the bigger teams then?”

Shukla, who now serves as the national selector for the women’s team, adds that once the probables are announced, the camp is held at least two-to-three months later.

“After the nationals, when we announce the squad, the camp is called after three months. There are many breaks and no continuity in the football calendar,” adds Shukla.

Premakanta Singh, who is the national coach of women’s team, feels that there must be more tournaments organised by the AIFF so that the players have the chance to show case and fine tune their talent.

“There’s just a single tournament nationally, which lasts for a month. I feel the AIFF must have more tournaments for women. It’s a pity that our team has been removed from the FIFA rankings,” said Singh.

What do the national players do for the rest of the year if the nationals organised by the AIFF lasts for just a month or so?

“We play a lot of district level tournaments here in Manipur. We practice every day and keep ourselves fit,” said skipper Ronibala Chanu.

The 30 year old adds that since the AIFF is now more focussed on the age group teams, they must also make a decision about their future.

“We want to play and it’s bad that they aren’t interested in the senior team. They have to think about us as well. If there are no tournaments, how will we improve?” questioned a miffed Chanu.

Senior international, Oinam Bembem Devi reiterated the age-old talk of men’s football being preferred and given more importance than the women’s in the modern age of equality of gender.

“It’s a known fact that they want the men’s team to do well and give them preference,” said Bembem.

Interestingly, the women’s committee, which is to solve the problems existing in women’s football, hasn’t met for more than a year. Several current players, coaches and ex-international raise their voice and question as to what is the solution, one wonders whether anyone is hearing their cries...  

Rahul Bali.