MP’s DFA Raisen named among top-16 women’s clubs in India

Bhopal: A football club that started as a dream and later took shape through the dogged resolve of a coach, who staked his all and loaned Rs 12 lakh in the hope of bringing a rag-tag group of women footballers from Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district into national prominence, has just taken a major leap of faith. DFA Raisen has been named by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the primary football administrative body in India, among the country’s top 16 women’s clubs, thereby earning a spot in the prestigious Under-17 women’s youth football tournament this July.

The selection marks a milestone for a team whose members largely learned the game on uneven village grounds and had first picked up a football to escape the monotony of household chores and the invisible walls that stood between them and their sporting dreams.

Tough training sessions, improvised drills and sustained mentoring have since become hallmarks of the Raisen programme. “We train whenever we can — after household chores, school or work, sometimes even past sunset,” said midfielder Shivani, her voice steely with resolve, adding, “We want to show to the world that where we come from doesn’t decide where we can go.”

For coach Param Asvar, his Raisen team means the world. “This is more than football,” he said, his voice crackling with emotion.

“For these girls, this cub represents hope — for their families, their villages, and for every young girl watching them,” the coach added.

Recalling the acute fiscal strain that he had to overcome in building the team, Param said, “I took a loan of Rs 12 lakh (separately, in small tranches from multiple borrowers) to hire equipment, arrange travel and cover coaching costs.”

“It was a risk, but one worth taking for these girls,” he added.

Officials and former players lauded his accomplishment as an illustration of how sports can change lives and make dreams come true. “This recognition highlights the potential that exists in our villages,” said a senior coach, adding, “With continued support, these young women can write a remarkable story of resilience and success against all odds for themselves and their families.”

As DFA Raisen prepares to take the national stage in July, the team carries not only its crest but the aspirations of its region. Humble and driven, the players will run into well-resourced opponents as the U-17 tournament unfolds. Yet, coaches insist the squad’s resilience and adaptability will serve them well.

For their families in Raisen, the upcoming tournament will mark a happy culmination of years of sacrifice and, hopefully, the start of happy tidings in terms of broader opportunities in women’s football. “Win or lose, these girls have already changed perceptions,” said Ramesh Kumar, a local Raisen resident, adding, “They’ve shown that talent exists everywhere — it just needs an opportunity, a stage.”

For players, the tournament will present a rare exposure to a high-level, structured competition. Coaches hailed the team’s elevation among the national elites as validation of grassroots perseverance and the effectiveness of sustained coaching despite scarce resources.