‘ We will play like champions’
Bembem Devi, the face of Indian women’s football for the past couple of decades, said Eastern Sporting Union’s performances will speak for them as the defending champions won their opening encounter in the Hero Indian Women’s League in Shillong on Monday. Eastern Sporting Union defeated Indira Gandhi Academy 3- 2.
“We are the defending champions and our aim is to take back home what we earned last year,” said Bembem, who coaches Eastern Sporting Union.
“Being the defending champions, there is always an added pressure. The weight of expectations can be overwhelming. But if we as a team are not confident enough in our abilities then there is no point in taking the field.
“There is absolutely no alternative to not believing in yourself and playing like champions,” she added.
Bembem said they were not resting on past laurels. “Some of the players played at the senior NFC and they learnt that you cannot take anything for granted in football. This year we have brought in a few players and are not just resting on previous achievements.
“Our performance will speak for itself.”
On the IWL Season 2, Bembem said: “The interest in women’s football and football in general is growing in India. And if we can showcase good football, this interest will grow even further.
“It would be even better if existing teams in the top tiers take interest in having their own women’s teams. I want to thank Gokulam Kerala FC from the bottom of my heart for taking active interest in the women’s game,” the Arjuna Award winner added.
The IWL was held in Delhi last year and this time it finds home in Shillong and Bembem is excited about it.
“We all know how passionate the North East is about football. We can expect good crowds to come in and support us”, said the hopeful coach.
Recent times have seen new power centres come up with Tamil Nadu winning the senior women’s national football championship and Chandigarh coming on top in the sub- junior girls national football championship.
Both times, it was Manipur who came up short.
“It is actually good that new teams are winning at the national level. It shows how the game is spreading in different parts of the country,” Bembem said.