Photo Courtesy: AIFF Media

Women’s Football in India has gone from strength to strength in recent times. Long gone are those days where girls would shy away from ‘the Beautiful Game’ and the new generation has embraced this scenic change with open arms.

The FIFA Live Your Goals campaign which kick-started on Sunday (June 28, 2015) at the new-look Cooperage aims to cash-in on the growing popularity of football among girls, while extending its outreach all over the country.

The first of its kind programme engaged more than 200 young girls from all spheres of life, to participate in various footballing activities and festivities. Besides, the programme also gave a chance to the young girls to learn from their footballing idols who were all part of the initiative taken by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to foster interest in posterity.

“This initiative by AIFF is an unique one as it enables the girls to learn from their role models,” Bembem Devi, who herself has been a role model not only for the young kids but many players in the Women’s National Team setup, told AIFF Media.

“To see so many girls engage in football is a proof that Women’s Football is growing throughout India. It is always a welcome sight to see so many kids play football, as they are the ones who will carry the mantle forward. They are the future,” she added.

Not only that, the Live Your Goals campaign also served as a unique platform to form a bond between the kids and their idols, through numerous footballing exercises.

“I’ve formed a bond with a lot of young girls who were present for the launch of the campaign. Seeing them reminds me of myself. And how I played when I was young,” opined Bala Devi. “It is nostalgia that hits you when you see them playing. It is such a beautiful and inspiring scenario,” she added.

“It has always been my aim to teach football to young girls. And I am thankful to the AIFF for conducting this course as it has enabled me to do just that,” echoed Margaret Devi, a prominent figure in the India U-19 Women’s National Team setup.

“It was fun to design various exercises for the kids. And sometimes I felt like a kid myself,” adds an elated Margaret.

With the programme receiving massive applause it is evident that a wind of change is enveloping Women’s Football in India – a wind which enables the girls to get out of their closet, follow their heart and live their goals.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)