More players, fewer opportunities

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Kerala has produced a number of women football internationals and players who perform in the national tournaments. Yet, lack of opportunities within is hindering the growth of women football in the state, believe women coaches.

To counter this, an inter-state women football tournament is planned in Kozhikode. “We would conduct an inter-state women football tournament in April or May. Discussions are on and it will be a prize
money tournament on school-level basis,” said M. Fousiya, sports council football coach and secretary of the Women Football Academy, Kozhikode.

“There are a lot of players coming up every year but there is very little of exposure. So we thought about a tournament. Preliminary talks have been completed and we have to take this forward. We would conduct the tournament after the E.K. Nayanar trophy event,” she said.

“Every year, more and more students have come up for football camps and we want to utilise the popularity of the football here. There are a couple of women football clubs in the northern districts and tournaments like this would be a real boost for such clubs,” she said.

She added, “We are trying to rope in at least eight teams and get the corporation stadium as the venue. We hope to get sponsors for the tournament and conduct it every year.”

Apart from the tournament, an inter-university football tournament will be held from Friday as part of the Thantedam Gender Fest in Kozhikode. Women football teams from MG University, Kerala University, Calicut University and Kannur University will take part.

“Besides football, there will be a championship each in basketball, volleyball and badminton. However, the football match would be a unique one, as such tournaments are rare in women football,” she said. “After the completion of the Thantedam, we will try coordinating for the women’s football tournament. Right now, we received a boost for the sport. Several talents are yet to come into the women football and if we try our best, there will be more international players,” says Fousiya.