The RevSportz Football Carnival Season 3 kicked off on Tuesday, October 22, at the Baghajatin School Ground, Siliguri. The women’s league saw two exciting matches, with Green Jalpaiguri and Haldibari Tea Gardens FA advancing after defeating Dewanganj Coaching Camp and Haripal Vivekananda Sporting. The crowd was treated to high-quality football and dazzling displays of skill from the players.
However, this article isn’t about match results – it’s about the broader impact of the tournament. The RevSportz Football Carnival was launched with the vision of providing an equal platform for both men’s and women’s footballers to showcase their talents and take steps toward professional careers.
Over the past two seasons, the tournament has unearthed numerous talented young players, with the women’s competition often surpassing expectations in terms of quality. One standout player who captivated spectators is Mariyam Khatun, a left-footed winger with impressive proficiency on her weaker foot. She was the top scorer in the second season, and many in the crowd compared her playing style to that of Lionel Messi.
In fact, the word “immesionate”, introduced into the Spanish dictionary in 2014 to describe the perfect way to play football – inspired by Lionel Messi’s style – could easily apply to Mariyam. The way she controls the ball with a delicate tap of her left foot, swiftly gliding past defenders with a smooth outside touch, then surging down the right flank before cutting inside is mesmerising. Whether she chooses to shoot, send in a precise low pass, or deliver a curling cross into the box, every move feels effortless. It might be a bit of an exaggeration to use the word, but it’s just another way to appreciate the raw talent seen on the local grounds of Bengal.
Mariyam’s immesionate performances in Season 2 captured the hearts of many, with one of her most memorable moments being a crucial free-kick goal in the semifinal. In the dying moments of the match, when her team were trailing, Mariyam stepped up to take a left-footed free kick just outside the box. She curled it in beautifully, levelling the game and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
At the time, this talented 17-year-old, standing just 5 feet tall, had no professional contract and was representing Gayeshpur Football Academy. Her team went on to win the tournament, and Mariyam was a key player in their success.
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Mariyam Khatun’s free kick goal!
One of the most talented young girls in the tournament. @RevSportzGlobal #FootballCarnival Season 02. pic.twitter.com/3dmRCQKTGf
— Rohan Chowdhury (@RohanDC98) October 23, 2024
This year, she returned to the tournament with a different team and once again left her mark, scoring another stunning free kick in her first match – this time with her right foot, from near the halfway line. Such raw talent is rarely seen. In a conversation, she revealed how last year’s tournament changed her life.
“I recently signed with Sethu FC for the upcoming IWL (Indian Women’s League) on a two-season deal,” said Mariyam, her joy palpable.
After last year’s tournament, Mariyam was invited to play in several local tournaments and eventually joined Kemp FC, a Bengaluru-based team. She played a key role in their runner-up finish in the Karnataka State Premier League. Her impressive performances in that league led to her signing a professional contract with Tamil Nadu’s IWL side, Sethu FC.
“Last year’s Football Carnival provided a great platform for these girls,” said her coach, Amrito Das. Mariyam’s sister, Reshma Parveen, also plays football and is a defender for the same team. “Reshma was also noticed by Kemp after the tournament, but she couldn’t join because of her commitments to the Bengal team,” said Das.
This tournament continues to unearth a highly talented pool of young female footballers, mostly between the ages of 16 and 18, who have the potential to become key players for professional clubs across India.
With the right support and opportunities, many more Mariyam Khatuns could emerge as future stars of Indian football. Whether Mariyam will get regular playing time with Sethu FC is a question that only time can answer, but her journey thus far has seen significant stepping stones for this young girl from Nadia district. The RevSportz Football Carnival is proving to be a crucial platform for nurturing the next generation of football talent in India.