CHENNAI: For 14-year-old A Ishwarya, football began as something she did not even know existed. Today, the beautiful game has provided the Class IX student from Namakkal the chance to wear the Tamil Nadu jersey as she has represented the state in junior-level tournaments, a journey that began at the Chennai Kaalpandhu League (CKL).Ishwarya, whose father is a construction labourer and mother a domestic helper, joined CKL in Season 4 while studying at a government school in Vyasarpadi.She was later selected for LatentView’s RDC Training Programme, where tournaments, exposure camps and residential training under Chennaiyin FC coaches helped sharpen her game. Following SDAT trials, she entered the residential programme in Namakkal.“When I was leaving home to go to Namakkal, it felt quite difficult thinking that I was leaving everyone behind,” Ishwarya told.But football also taught her independence. “I always taught her to be independent because for us education is the only way to a better life,” her mother Vennila, who has stood firmly behind her, said.“People tell me I raise my daughter like a son and I tell them, you should too,” she added. Ishwarya once had to change three buses after school to reach practice. Even buying boots was a struggle. “Every time Ishwarya would ask for new boots, I would ask her to make do with the old ones. I would have to save up and borrow money from coaches.”For 11-year-old Mariyam, the journey was even harder. Her father died when she was in Class IV after battling diabetes. Her mother, who works at a disposable-plate manufacturing unit, is the sole breadwinner and also supports Mariyam’s younger brother.Football was not initially an option for Mariyam. Coming from a conservative Muslim family, she was not allowed to play. “Until Class VI, I was not allowed to play,” she said. It was only in Class VII, after her mother saw other girls playing and spoke to the coach. A year into CKL, Mariyam is balancing both football and studies, she studies until 10:30pm after practice.Monishree, 12, football is another pursuit made possible by her mother’s determination. Her father died when she was just five, leaving her mother to raise the family alone while working as a food delivery worker at a bus stand. With money often tight, even getting enough food and protein has been a challenge. Yet her mother has continued to support her interests, whether it is football or her love for dance. Monishree, found her inspiration in her elder brother, whose games encouraged her to take up football herself.Ten-year-old Esha, a Class VI student and Cristiano Ronaldo fan, discovered football after watching the World Cup. But her family could not afford even basic football essentials. Support from LatentView has now helped provide boots, kits and exposure.For Nandini, 12, whose father is an auto driver and mother stitches leather. “Earlier I used to struggle with basic nutrition. I did not have boots,” she said. She has now started earning through zonal-level matches and will next play the district level, where she is set to compete in the first week of October.Soundarya Rani, a 12-year-old goalkeeper whose father is a carpenter. For her, Football began with watching a match on her phone and the Tamil film Bigil. Inspired by what she saw, she joined her school team. But her journey was interrupted when she travelled to her native village in Odisha and got caught in floods. On returning to Chennai, she was selected for CKL, giving her another opportunity to pursue the sport she had grown to love.For these girls, football is more than a game. It is a route out of limitations imposed by poverty, family circumstances and lack of opportunity. Even menstruation does not always keep them away from the field. “I don’t feel comfortable, still I come for practice,” Soundarya said.
