Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
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Our Prime Minister have started the campaign ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padao’ and two Indian ladies have taken the Rio 2016 by a storm recently. At this crucial juncture for the Indian women, All India Football Federation has also added another feather to its cap by taking another step forward towards the Women’s League which is slated to kick-off later this year.
Ebru Koksal, FIFA Women’s course instructor, has brought in loads of experience along with her and she has shared every possible nitty-gritty of Women’s Football with the Indian Women’s Football bandwagon over the course of four days. The veteran lady, who has worked closely with Galatasaray FC and Turkish Football Association before, has spoken in a length with AIFF Media discussing her impression on Indian Women’s Football scenario, the extensive sessions, sublime differences between Turkey and India et al.
What were running at the back of your mind before the start of the course?
Albeit I touched down a day before the starting of the course, I was in constant touch and they poured in every possible information about the current state of Women’s Football in India and most importantly the launch of the Women’s League. It has been an ideal platform to share our knowledge on various aspects amongst the clubs, state associations and other stakeholders who’d take the league forward in future. Frankly speaking, I’m really excited that I’m a part, however, minimal it might be, of the enormous project.
How have the participants reciprocated during the sessions?
I must say, that’s a knowledgeable group of blokes, even I learnt minute details from them as well. The sessions have been really interactive and at the end of the day, they have proved to be worthy for all of us. I would like to say that the group has been a perfect blend of technical people, business persons, coaches and administrative fellows.
The primary objective of the course is beyond the 4-day program, they need to collaborate and work together towards taking the league forward and making it a big success. Unless they prove to be a robust support system, AIFF’s goal can’t be achieved.
What are the basic differences between Turkey and India in terms of women’s football?
Not much, really. Both the countries have their own cultural angles which, unfortunately, doesn’t provide the women as much breathing space as their counterparts. Till a time, neither in India nor in Turkey, football was accepted as a traditional sport for the girls and they were deprived of rubbing their shoulders with the boys. But, you know, the clock is ticking fast and that entire scenario is changing, obviously in a positive way.
Indian girls have plied their trade in various stages as well as the Turkish ones. The community now loves to see their girls clad in a football jersey and dribbling past their opponents. Now they are paying an attention to giving a shot to a professional career in Football. That’s why I strongly feel that it’s the right time to come up with the league.
Down the line after five years, where do you see Women’s Football in India?
See, planning and execution are two different aspects and everything depends on that part. Whatever planning we have done, if implemented properly, then there’s no reason to looking back and lamenting. The league structure will grow from strength to strength and it’ll provide job opportunities to technical persons as well as others. Taken as a whole, the league ecosystem will help itself to sustain through the years to come. It’ll provide a bigger pool of players which will eventually aid the National Team.
Which areas are still to be worked on with regards to the Women’s League?
The paperwork has been chalked out pretty well and it’s going to be conducive to staging a successful league. Keeping the logistics in mind, the preliminary round and final round with 10 teams would be ideal in terms of the operation and they have rightly adopted it. The aspect which needs to be worked on more is the draft system. AIFF, the clubs and the state associations need to sit together to come up with a feasible solution.
If the league fall apart, will it fail the entire purpose of taking the Women’s Football forward?
I don’t think so. Undoubtedly, the league is going to have an immense impact on the future of Women’s Football in India but I won’t see it as a make or break situation. The technical people have put in an effort of many a sleepless night and those can never go astray. Most importantly, AIFF have worked with all the stakeholders and all are on the same page right now. The project needs to be kicked off at the right time to lure the sponsors, attract the supporters and other stakeholders. I strongly feel there can’t be any better hour to kick-off the league than now.
by AIFF Media
