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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Amazing post about this woman breaking barriers Genevive! She is an inspiration to all.
ReplyDeleteThank 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..
DeleteThank you for sharing this inspirational story with us, Genevive. Believing in ones self is surely a valuable lesson for children and adults alike.
ReplyDeleteAgree 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.
DeleteThat'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!
ReplyDeleteThank 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:)
DeleteGood for her! If you want something, go for it!
ReplyDeleteVery true:) thanks for stopping by appreciate you.
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