NEW DELHI: Not a household name at the moment, Ritu Rani hopes that the AFC Asian Cup will be one next year. This also applies to Karishma Shirvoikar and many other representatives of the Indian women’s soccer team.
Ritu and Karishma believe that hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup and Asian Cup next year will “transform” the country’s women’s football scene and encourage more girls to try the sport as a career option.
Both are looking forward to doing their best in the Asian Cup.
“This will definitely make a change in women’s football across the country and girls would take it as a career option,” Karishma told PTI.
“Both tournaments will show a high level of women’s football and will motivate people to support women’s football. It’s a good opportunity,” she said.
India will host the two big events in 2022, the continental tournament is planned for the beginning of the year.
Both Ritu and Karishma are expected to be among the women who represent the senior team at the continental meeting for the senior team.
Despite not being part of the squad that toured the UAE and Bahrain for friendly matches, striker Karishma is trying her best to make a comeback to the team.
“Going on exposure trips is motivating for the team. Since we can play on the highest platform and compete with big teams, the pressure is sure to be there,” she said.
“But at the same time, the players and coaches are working very hard to prepare the team for the upcoming Asian Cup and to show their best performance.”
“We are all really preparing and working very hard to fight for our position on the team. We had a couple of exposure trips. I can say that I will be fighting for my place in the final Asian Cup squad,” said Karishma , who did a training stay in Spain, added.
Midfielder Ritu, who is known for her tackling and flying skills, is happy with the team’s development.
“Preparations for the AFC are ongoing with the exposition tours and camps. The teammates and the coaching team are well supported and the goal is to perform well in the AFC Asian Cup.
Regarding the upturn in women’s football in the country, she said: “The hosting of the Asian Cup and the World Cup is a big boost for women’s football to play football at the highest level.”
Ritu is grateful that they can camp and go on exposure tours amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ritu and Karishma believe that hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup and Asian Cup next year will “transform” the country’s women’s football scene and encourage more girls to try the sport as a career option.
Both are looking forward to doing their best in the Asian Cup.
“This will definitely make a change in women’s football across the country and girls would take it as a career option,” Karishma told PTI.
“Both tournaments will show a high level of women’s football and will motivate people to support women’s football. It’s a good opportunity,” she said.
India will host the two big events in 2022, the continental tournament is planned for the beginning of the year.
Both Ritu and Karishma are expected to be among the women who represent the senior team at the continental meeting for the senior team.
Despite not being part of the squad that toured the UAE and Bahrain for friendly matches, striker Karishma is trying her best to make a comeback to the team.
“Going on exposure trips is motivating for the team. Since we can play on the highest platform and compete with big teams, the pressure is sure to be there,” she said.
“But at the same time, the players and coaches are working very hard to prepare the team for the upcoming Asian Cup and to show their best performance.”
“We are all really preparing and working very hard to fight for our position on the team. We had a couple of exposure trips. I can say that I will be fighting for my place in the final Asian Cup squad,” said Karishma , who did a training stay in Spain, added.
Midfielder Ritu, who is known for her tackling and flying skills, is happy with the team’s development.
“Preparations for the AFC are ongoing with the exposition tours and camps. The teammates and the coaching team are well supported and the goal is to perform well in the AFC Asian Cup.
Regarding the upturn in women’s football in the country, she said: “The hosting of the Asian Cup and the World Cup is a big boost for women’s football to play football at the highest level.”
Ritu is grateful that they can camp and go on exposure tours amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Beer maven. Creator. Tv fanatic. Internet scholar. Award-winning web junkie. Avid alcohol expert. Friendly writer. Gamer.”
