Vadodara: They may have grown up on footpaths or in cramped slums, but on the football field the girls of Pathshala stand far taller than their circumstances.Armed with little more than worn-out boots and unwavering determination, the girls have emerged as giant-killers over the past few years, repeatedly upsetting teams from some of the city’s most prestigious schools.For several seasons now, the Pathshala girls, all from economically disadvantaged families, have consistently reached the finals of junior football tournaments, lifting championship trophies or finishing runners-up against elite school teams.“Their game has improved tremendously over the years. Today they play with the confidence and discipline of professional footballers. Their aggressive yet organised style and fearless attacking game often leave their opponents stunned. Watching them grow, both as players and individuals, has been incredibly rewarding,” said Juin Dutta, who runs Pathshala, a school for underprivileged children.The girls have steadily built an impressive record. This year, they finished runners-up to Navrachana Sama School in the Baroda District Football Association’s junior football tournament and also won the Cygnus Cup.“Our team also reached the finals of a football tournament in Mumbai. In 2023, our junior girls won the football title at a winter sports event in Vadodara. We have also lifted the prestigious K K Vithani Cup after defeating Delhi Public School. The Baroda Football Academy has played a crucial role in training our girls,” Dutta said.For many of the players, the journey has been nothing short of transformational.“When I started playing football a few years ago, I didn’t even own a pair of shoes. I would run barefoot on the field,” recalled 12-year-old Rachana Sehriya, daughter of a construction labourer. “Slowly I learnt the game and fell in love with football.”Initially, facing teams from reputed schools was intimidating.“I used to wonder how I would compete against them,” said Rachana, who has won a Best Player award in one of the tournaments. “But after playing a few matches, the fear disappeared and I began playing my natural game. Growing up in a tough environment has also taught me not to give up easily.” A devoted fan of Lionel Messi, she now dreams of taking her football career even further.Joya Sindhi, whose mother works as a housemaid, remembers experiencing similar nerves before her first competitive tournament.“I started playing football just for fun. I never imagined that one day we would compete in professional tournaments,” she said. “The girls from big schools had excellent facilities and looked so confident. That made me nervous.”Those fears, however, quickly gave way to belief.“All we had was confidence in ourselves. After defeating a few school teams, I realised that girls like us, who grew up on the streets, can also compete with the best and win,” said Joya, a Cristiano Ronaldo fan.For the girls of Pathshala, every victory means far more than another trophy. It is proof that talent, determination and opportunity can overcome even the toughest beginnings.
