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Sometimes Football is not just about getting results. Sometimes it is about unity, passion, and the tenacity of a fan to support the Team through thick and thin. For the Indian population in North Korea, the Indian Women’s Senior National Team has brought with them the winds of Indian shores, letting a handful of Indians in Pyongyang to get a taste of home.
The Indian Women’s Senior National Team is gearing up to face Hong Kong in their last match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers on April 11, 2017 at the Kim II Sung Stadium in Pyongyang. Although, results in the qualifying campaign have not been in India’s favour – recording heavy losses against North Korea, South Korea and Uzbekistan – the support from the stands has been evocable.
Add to that the presence of the Indian Ambassador to North Korea Smt. Jasminder Kasturia, and Indian diplomats in every match.
“It is true that you can find Indians in any part of the World. And we are very happy to see our countrymen in a foreign land,” said skipper Bala Devi.
“They have been cheering for us from the stands and the feeling you get when you see the Indian flag in the stadium is unexplainable. It gives you a jolt of energy.”
“We are all Indians and wherever we go we create a mini India. For us, seeing the support is like seeing mini India.”
The Indian Women were invited by the Indian Embassy in Pyongyang where they met the Ambassador, the Diplomats and the fans.
“We were honoured to visit the embassy and meet with our countrymen. It was such a warm feeling that it felt exactly like home,” stated Dalima Chhibber.
Even for the fans present in the Embassy, it was a moment to remember.
“I have never seen so many Indians in Pyongyang. It feels like a mini India. It feels like we are in India and not in North Korea”, said one of the fans present, Rocky Gupta.
“You have an emotional connect to your country’s Team, be it in any sport and for us seeing the Indian Women play in North Korea is like a dream come true,” added Surender Kumar.
