At the helm of affairs

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The chronicles of Indian football will be incomplete without a mention of the Malayalis, who as players and officials have impacted the course of the game for decades. So, when one of them stood up to take on a more challenging role it was hardly surprising.

P.V. Priya from Vengara in Kannur was appointed chief coach of the India under-13 girl’s team last week, taking over from West Bengal’s Anita Sarkar. This is the first time a Malayali woman has been put at the helm of affairs.

Priya’s girls created ripples on her maiden assignment — the AFC south central Asia under-13 girl’s football tournament in Sri Lanka, after they registered three consecutive victories in their league matches. The latest being a 7-0 drubbing of the hosts on Monday morning.

“I cannot say how happy I am to be in this position. It is the first time the under-13 girls are participating in a tournament at this level and I am also excited because it’s my first time as their coach,” said a jubilant Priya, over the phone from Colombo.

Employed as physical education lecturer at the University of Calicut, Priya has been the assistant coach of the under-13 girl’s team for the last two years. A few months ago she got an AFC B-license in coaching and is now the only Malayali woman to have this honour. Her appointment came after the national camp in Ahmedabad.

“It is the first time that the AFC is hosting a tournament, though football festivals were conducted for the age group in the last couple of years. So in a way, this is a new beginning for girl’s football in the country,” said Priya.

“The All India Football Federation is doing several good things for girl’s football in the country. Though it might take a few more years for women’s football to earn the same level of recognition as the men’s, we are on the right course,” she added

The AFC tournament is participated in by Palestine, Jordan, Iran and Bhutan apart from India and the hosts. In their first match, India demolished Palestine 9-0 and on Sunday they trounced Jordan 7-1.

Before taking up the coaching assignment, Priya had represented Kerala as a player — 12 times in the national level and was also captain of the senior state team in 2009. Football pundits say that Kerala’s contribution to Indian football went through a slough in the post Vijayan and Ancheri era. But Priya has certainly exceeded all expectations!