Over the last six months, whenever the country spoke of football, it was often in a morose tone. The dire state of Indian football, attempts to revive the Indian Super League, the Lionel Messi event failure in Kolkata, the narrative was largely bleak. But amid the gloom, a faint silver lining has emerged for the future of Indian football, and it is the U17 women’s team that is responsible for it.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is currently on a global tour, and on January 10, the world’s most coveted sports trophy graced the streets of the Indian capital, Delhi. At a special event hosted by Coca-Cola, football legend Gilberto Silva, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the trophy to thunderous applause. Sitting quietly in the audience were two special talents – Julan Nongmaithem and Elizabed Lakra.
While the centre of attention was, understandably, the trophy, there was also a quiet hum around the achievements of the U17 women’s team. The young girls had managed to do something unprecedented in Indian football history, qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup.
“It’s not just a friendship, it’s a…” Julan paused, searching for the right word to describe the bond within the team. “We’re a family,” Elizabed added. The two had flown in from Bengaluru for just a few hours to be part of the trophy tour where something special awaited them.
Sharing a table with Gilberto Silva and the two young footballers, it was hard not to look back and forth between the legend and the future of Indian football. The excitement was visible, the twinkle in their eyes unmistakable. Later, they were called on stage to be felicitated by Coca-Cola, moments after the brand announced it would sponsor the team for the next three years.
Standing beside Gilberto Silva and the FIFA World Cup Trophy, the girls were already soaking in a surreal moment. But then, Gilberto stepped aside, gesturing for Julan and Elizabed to stand on either side of the trophy. The grin on their faces said it all.
AIFF General Secretary Satya Narayan reflected on the team’s Asian Cup qualification journey. “They’ve qualified on their own merit after 22 years. This was not a fluke, they beat Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, who are powerhouses in Asia. The girls have worked extremely hard and have been together for a long time.”
In an exclusive conversation, Elizabed and Julan spoke about how their football journeys began. “My elder sister also plays football. When I saw her, I felt I could build a future for myself through the sport,” Elizabed shared.
“I have five siblings, and four of us play football,” Julan said. “My brother started first, and my father was a hockey coach, but he really liked football. He supported me fully, and that’s how I began.”
Satya Narayan summed up what makes this team special. “These girls have put in a tremendous amount of hard work. At 16, they are already living away from home, some from Jharkhand or Manipur, staying in Bengaluru or Goa. It’s a big sacrifice, and they’ve done very well.”
In sport, there is always a silver lining, just as teams look for positives even when results don’t go their way. In the midst of uncertainty surrounding Indian football, the U17 women’s team has given fans something to smile about. With Coca-Cola’s commitment for the next three years and the young players’ passion and determination, Indian football finally has a future worth believing in.
