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Bembem Devi: Young girls need to live their dreams

FIFA Live Your Goals - Indian Women's National team players Bala Devi, Bembem Devi and Sasmita Mallick
FIFA Live Your Goals - Indian Women's National team players Bala Devi, Bembem Devi and Sasmita Mallick

Photo Courtesy: AIFF Media

The common dividend amongst Bembem Devi, Bala Devi and Sasmita Mallick is the sheer talent and it has acted as a driving force behind the success of the Indian Women’s National Team in recent times.

Another dividend which segregates the trio from the rest of the crop is their ability to lead, on and off the pitch, which when fused with their sterling performances acts as beacon of hope – a beacon of inspiration for the myriads of women footballers present within the country.

Therefore it was fitting to instate the trio as the face of the ‘FIFA Live Your Goals,’ a programme which aims to extend the outreach of Women’s Football and kicks-off on June 28, 2015 in Mumbai.

Speaking exclusively to AIFF Media, Bembem expresses that “the course will not only boost Women’s Football in general, but will also be a inspiration to thousands of girls who want to play football.”

“The AIFF has taken a spectacular initiative to capitalize and extend the outreach of Women’ Football through this course. It will be heartening to see young girls live their dreams of playing football for their country,” she maintained.

“I thank the AIFF for choosing me as one of the faces of the programme. This means a lot to me. And I hope the course acts as a catalyst for Indian Women’s Football.”

Bala Devi, captain of the present Indian Women’s National Team feels “extending the outreach of Women’s Football and working on the grassroots should be a priority.”

“This course offers just that, as it engages hundreds of young girls through various footballing activities,” elucidates Bala. “It is no secret that the potential of Indian football lies in the grassroots. And unanimously we must work towards it.”

“Women’s Football is already undergoing a positive change and this programme is like a cherry on the top of a cake,” she opines.

“It has always been a challenge to engage women in football actively. But with time the stereotypes are vanishing and everybody is tuning into the technicalities of Women’s Football. A positive change is always a welcomed commodity and through this course Women’s Football is bound to bloom,” stated Sasmita Mallick, an integral member of the National Team for long.

“This course will also foster interest amongst the young crop, which is a very positive sign for Indian football.”

Furthermore the trio joust in unison and thank the AIFF for making them the face of ‘Live Your Goals.’

With Women’s Football in India encircled by a wind of change, and given that the Indian Women’s National Team has gone from strength to strength in the recent years one can only fantasize about the talents which wait to be discovered and take the platform by storm, courtesy of the heroes or rather the heroines who inspire them.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)