Football for self-confidence, social reform

A unique football match among tribal girls organised by Shreeja set up by an NRI has sent ripples across the villages of Birbhum, with more and more numbers showing keen interest in the game as a way to boost self-confidence.

The football match was held at Motherpur-Jaipur in Ramchandra Block under Suri Sadar in Birbhum district. Interestingly, over 300 parents had come to watch the game, to cheer for their daughters and interact with the organisers of Shreeja on Sunday. Villagers also thronged the venue of the match to encourage the players. Wearing blue jerseys and their names printed on the back, girls received football boots and other necessary gear for the game.

The girls are given regular coaching in football by Arup Manna. Players from eight villages come to attend the coaching classes, which are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays in the morning and in the evenings on Saturdays. They are given nutritious food including milk with cornflakes, a seasonal fruit and an egg. They come from different villages to the coaching centre at Motherpur on their bicycles, which they have received from the state government under its "Sabuj Sathi" scheme. Forty two girls are given training in football at this centre.

Shreeja was set up by Shib Shankar Dasgupta, a chemical engineer from Jadavpur University who is now settled in New York. "Keeping football at centre stage, the whole intention is to build self-confidence in the girls and develop their team spirit so that they can fight social evils like child marriages and the like collectively," said Dasgupta who visits the village once every four months to encourage them.

"Football has helped them to build self-confidence among the young ladies and has enhanced their self-image. It is really interesting that the parents, particularly the mothers, are inspiring the girls to play football," he maintained. Along with football, the girls are given tuitions in academics as well.

"Most of the students are weak in mathematics and we have chalked out a plan to give them coaching in Math along with other subjects," said Dasgupta. Steps have also been taken to make these girls economically self-reliant. "They have a very bright future if they can be nurtured properly with love and care."