October 26, 2018

#WATWB - Anju Turambekar

India’s first female football coach has worked as domestic help and at petrol bunk. Anju Turambekar is a beautiful example of dedication, hard work and commitment to have achieved the A-license degree. In a highly competitive world or football, one needs to constantly push the boundaries of performance in an effort to stay on top.  Anju says that it took years of preparation, dedication and hard work and commitment to achieve the A-license degree.


“I ran away from home to pursue football as a career option. At first it was difficult to digest but my parents were happy when I finished my studies and worked to support them.”

All success stories often have humble beginnings, Anjus hails from a small town Bekanal in Kolhapur: She started playing foot ball with the boys in the nearby town by skipping school and she had to face a lot of obstacles, daily farm and house chores, tending to the herd of buffaloes while maintaining a balance between study and play was a big challenge says Anju. 

Despite all the challenges she learnt to ride, continued to study and worked hard. Initially her family was not comfortable by her choice of playing football, as her father was influenced by the other men in their community and wanted Anju to stop schooling and get married after completing her 10th standard. Her talent got recognized when she became the first girl from Kolhapur to lead the under 19 football team. Within few months of her playing career, there was opportunity and with lot of hurdles from the family she went on to lead the Maharashtra team and also the first captain of Kolhapur.

Due to parental pressure she ran away from home to pursue a career in football, she completed her studies and worked to support her family. It took years to win their faith and trust she says.  To fund herself for education and pursue her career in foot ball she worked as a domestic help and also in the nearby petrol bunk. Work was always a priority; she earned money and gradually succeeded in becoming a coach/instructor education for grassroots development. Most of the time she trains the men coaches and she feels there is no difference in coaching a women’s football team or a Mans. She is very confident and clear about her task is to deliver quality and be a better professional.

I am inspired and motivated by Anju – for she believed in herself and her capacity and never allowed criticism and ridicule to stop her from dreaming, she had the courage and dared to confront and even left home to pursue her passion in football.  I salute this lady for breaking the barriers and shining forth to bring more power to girls and women.




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Your co hosts for this month are: Eric LahtiInderpreet UppalShilpa GargMary Giese and Roshan Radhakrishnan Please link to them in your WATWB posts and comment.

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8 comments:

  1. Amazing post about this woman breaking barriers Genevive! She is an inspiration to all.

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    1. Thank you Susan for being here and yes I am so motivated by her story:) Susan I am unable to access your blog... I see your it in my email but when I try to read, does not link... looks like some issues on my computer..

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  2. Thank you for sharing this inspirational story with us, Genevive. Believing in ones self is surely a valuable lesson for children and adults alike.

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    1. Agree it is so important to trust your own instincts and take a risk to go for what you want to and love to :) everything else falls in place once we are able to make the decision.. thank you for your comments, I appreciate you.

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  3. That's an inspiring story of grit and determination. More power to Anju and here's hoping that more people will believe in themselves and their dreams. Thanks for sharing this positive story, Genevive!

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    1. Thank you shilpa, more power to women to walk the paths less travelled, I was so amazed when I read about Anju and definitely she is a great motivation to all the girls and women who give up because of challenges:)

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  4. Good for her! If you want something, go for it!

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