Himachal Pradesh Football Association celebrates International Women’s Day in a grand stature.
Himachal Pradesh Football Association the governing body of football in Himachal Pradesh, celebrated International Women’s Day at Khad Football Stadium, Una, Himachal Pradesh on 8th March, 2021 in an unique and interactive way.
The association which has been on the rise ever since the last few years has been constantly developing Women’s Football throughout the state. The state association recognise that developing the game throughout the districts can be one of the major components of empowerment which can impact in overall development of the women from this region of North India.
The auspicious day which is also known as AFC Women’s Football `Day, saw a day which was full of activities. The event kicked off with an exhibition match between two professional girl’s football club – one being Khad FC, the local team and the second team was Jhajjar Football Club, which flown in straight from Haryana to be a part of the event. The exhibition match had the presence of the parents of all the players who were enthralled to see their kids displaying their physical & mental prowess on the field of play. Although the match ended in favour of one team, the crowd which came for the event acknowledged both the teams as the winners and gave them a standing ovation.
The Chief Guest of the event was Mrs. Monika Singh who runs an NGO in the name of her daughter Advaita Foundation was full in praise of the girls who dazzled everyone in the ground. She emphasized that more & more girls from the region should start training football as it is one of the major empowerment section. She also added that football is a game where both mind and body works simultaneously and thus acts as a life teacher throughout the rest of the life. She congratulated Mr. Deepak Sharma, the General Secretary of Himachal Pradesh Football Association for his extensive work on Girl’s Football & general development of the Women Football in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Women’s Football in this state has received a huge catalyst when Himachal Pradesh was crowned champions in the recently concluded Hero, Junior Girl’s Under-17 National Football and the state association has never looked backed thereafter. The association secretary Mr. Deepak Sharma says “The girls from this region is defying all the odds and are developing active interest in competitive football. They are training hard throughout the year to develop as a professional player and are following the footsteps of Ngangom Bala Devi, who is leading the way for women’s footballer in the country”.
The association also come up with an exquisite idea of involving all the parents and elderly women of this region through various fun games and made their day eventful & unique. Approximately more than 50 elderly women participated in fun games, which constituted of Balancing-Ball race, Grassroots fun drills with the female parents who were absolutely thrilled to engage in such unique activities. Mrs. Rekha Devi, one of the parents said “We never thought that, we will get such an opportunity to enjoy ourselves without bothering about who is watching us. It’s the first time that I have realized that football is something much more than a game. I can understand now, why my kid always wants to run to the field after her school is over.”
The event culminated with felicitation of the all the women who were present on the field with a souvenir of memento and a gala lunch for all of them. Himachal Football Association vows to carry this forward every year to organize such a beautiful Women’s Football Day