Togetherness powers Karnataka U-13 girls to national glory

Bengaluru

Karnataka recently edged past Punjab to lift the Under-13 ASMITA National Football League trophy. Speaking to News Trail, the coaching staff credited the triumph to a deep sense of unity and bonding among the young players who took the field. Women’s team head coach Chitra Gangadharan, a respected figure in Indian football and part of the sub-junior coaching set-up, said the team’s success stemmed from the girls’ togetherness, as well as the support of everyone involved, including parents. “The main thing was that all the girls came together. They belong to different clubs, so from the start of the camp we ensured no one wore club jerseys.

That helped us build a team identity. It was also exam time, yet the parents showed great commitment in bringing them to training every day,” she said. Coach Ekta Patil echoed the sentiment, noting that players from varied footballing backgrounds gelled into a disciplined, cohesive unit – something she described as the team’s greatest strength. At the sub-junior level, the focus remains on development rather than results. Gangadharan highlighted a holistic approach centred on technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects, including team bonding on and off the pitch.

Equally important, Patil stressed, is ensuring that children enjoy the game and express themselves freely, as confidence naturally translates into better football. Both coaches have broken new ground in their careers. Gangadharan has coached both men and women, including at the national level, while Patil is the first female football coach from Sulaga in Belagavi, a place with little footballing culture. The achievement was backed by strong institutional support from the Karnataka State Football Association, whose president N.A. Haris hosted a felicitation for the winners.

General Secretary M. Kumar described the victory as significant, especially given the extensive scouting and trials that preceded it, and highlighted plans to launch a girls’ youth league. Both coaches emphasised the need for a stronger grassroots framework to bridge developmental gaps. With initiatives from the All India Football Federation, including sub-junior, junior and senior competitions, as well as IWL tiers, progress is evident – but ensuring continuity for players remains the next challenge.