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Ashalata Devi: World Cup Dream Alive, Grassroots Key
17 Jan
Summary
- Indian defender Ashalata Devi believes World Cup qualification is attainable.
- She stresses grassroots development is critical for Indian women's football.
- Ashalata Devi also initiated a festival combining football and education.
The dream of India qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup is still alive, according to veteran defender Ashalata Devi. She emphasized that achieving this goal requires a concerted effort to strengthen the sport at the grassroots level, a crucial step to narrow the gap with elite international teams.
Devi noted that India's Under-17, Under-19, and senior national teams have all qualified for their respective AFC Asian Championships. While acknowledging steady progress, she stated that the senior team has yet to reach world-class standards, despite the players' passion and dedication. Improving grassroots development, she believes, is paramount for fostering a sustainable pipeline of talent.
Beyond her playing career, Devi, alongside Aditi Chauhan, has launched the Ashalata Devi Football Festival in Imphal. This initiative aims to seamlessly integrate football training with education, addressing the challenges she faced in her youth. The festival has already seen a strong turnout, indicating a promising future for young female footballers.
