For these Chennai girls, football is a release from the humdrum

CHENNAI: For 11-year-old Thulasii, owning a pair of football boots was a luxury. Raised by a single mother who is employed as a cleaner with Chennai Corporation, Thulasii is growing up with limited means.

It has only been a few months since she laced up her first pair of boots, but she is already on the rise. Thulasii, a resident of Vyasarpadi in North Chennai which has produced many footballers, grew up watching seniors play the sport in front of her home. But, Thulasii started training only a few months ago. Like her, there are many who are fighting for honours in the Chennai Kaalpandhu League (CKL), a tournament hosted by LatentView for government-school children. “I attended a few trials, and the scouts were impressed by my play. I like football, and I have watched many play the game. After seeing them, I wanted to achieve something big. Since I started playing with shoes, my game has improved; I am able to focus better, move the ball comfortably, and dribble more effectively,” Thulasii told TOI.

Like many, Thulasi is an ardent fan of greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. She watches their videos and tries to recreate their moves at home.

The forward aspires to become a professional player like them one day. “I love playing football, and it has, in a way, helped me with my studies as well.” Similar to Thulasii, Kanishka did not have boots when she took to football two years ago. In her first tournament as captain, she led her school, CGHS, to the final of the CKL. “Captaining the side is a new experience for me, and I have learned how to guide the team. During training, I played a few matches with boys, which helped me realise that I need to put more power into my kicks and learn new techniques,” Kanishka said. Despite all the struggles, the girls are pushing hard to carve their path and make a mark in the Chennai football scene.