BY AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
PANAJI
Women football has been on the decline after years of ascendancy. There were times, when four to five women in the Indian team were from Goa. There were days when playgrounds were full with men watching Goan eves go for the ball with an enthusiasm not even seen in many of our boys. In many ways, one can say-those were the days.
Not exactly.
Despite official neglect, women’s football in Goa has not been buried because whatever be the reason, the game refuses to die. It may have slept or maybe sleeping. But, when it wakes up the talent is not always ignored. In this journey “to give women an opportunity to play football are two individuals. One is Juliana Gujrao Colaco and the other is Maymol Rocky from Vasco.
Juliana helped many of us hit the roof during her heydays. She sparkled when the stars shone for women’s football.
She now heads Goa Football Association's (GFA)
women's committee.
Maymol’s story is different. That is why, this is her story.
Maymol first represented Goa in 1999. Maymol represented Goa seven times since then. She has played for India thrice and has been a coach with the Sports authority of Goa since the last seven years. During her stint, she got her coaching certificates and will most probably be one of Goa’s first (or could be second) women coach with an A Level in coaching. She was the manager of the Indian team that went to Nepal during the earthquake the country experienced.
Three Goan girls represented India in Nepal. Maymol is happy. “During my days, the Indian teams were dominated by girls from Manipur. There used to be 13 girls from Manipur in a team of twenty. So, we from other states were few. Just, one or two of us. Things are changing now. We still have girls from the middle- east but, we have girls from other states too now. There is talent sprouting from other states,” says Maymol.
“The lack of tournaments and job opportunities are two things that restrain talent. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Goa football Association (GFA) are planning of having competitions for women,” says Maymol who happens to be in the AIFF and GFA committee to develop women’s football in the country and the state.
The ISL has given football the impetus it has been waiting for. For a change, football saw many women fans. That enthusiasm appears to be trickling down to women players now. A structure seems to be taking shape now. Giving shape to this structure are Juliana and Maymol. They are not mere mortals. But, people who have played football; people who “at some point- have breathed football. The day will not be far away when they will start helping other women come out of their closets not just to cheer but enjoy playing football.
Not too soon. But, better days are here for women’s football in Goa.
