Tribal girls are kicking conventional norms through football

In the tribal village of Nilpur, Jamuria, West Bengal, a team of women are making a silent rebellion through sports. In one of the trailblazing efforts of women’s empowerment, indigenous women and girls are playing football against all odds. 

Unheard and unthinkable just a few years ago, women in this region have often faced countless obstacles. Education, a scarce resource, has usually failed to make its way to the females of the community due to various economic and societal reasons. 

Girls are often looked upon as inferior physically, and mentally, and only fit for domestic and childbearing work. Deep taboos, superstitions, and gender biases have plagued the area. But women’s football has presented a beacon of hope for the future generation.

Started by Deepnarayan Nayek, known as “Raster Master” or teacher of the streets, the team was formed with just two members. Nayek faced countless challenges when he tried to set up an education centre in the remote village of Nilpur which forced him to think innovatively to overcome adversities. 

He noticed small girls could easily learn and play with the boys but once they reach adolescence, societal pressure forces girls to quit physical activities. Often talented and passionate female players lose their opportunity to shine in sports and therefore lose a significant portion of their identity and confidence. 

Young minds are usually drawn to sports as an instinct but the system of segregating girls from boys has been detrimental to the overall development of young girls. So Nayek started an all-women football team where willing women could join without any bar of age or marital status.

The result became evident when a formidable team of married and unmarried women started practicing regularly in the nearby ground.  At first, the villagers were skeptical and the women had to endure derogatory comments and snide remarks but they pushed on nonetheless. 

Slowly the team grew in size and more and more women joined from nearby villages. The practice is conducted in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening with the help of a coach and assistant coach. The morning practice is attended by the younger girls while married and working women join in the evening session. 

After rigorous daily labor and housework, the women come to the field with vigor and passion. They felt comfortable playing with their mothers, aunts, and daughters and formed a community. Gradually their interest grew in the sport and their skills developed. The female players often play other kinds of sports such as chess or archery, which helps them visualise abstract strategies and increase their concentration during a football game.

 The various sports help women develop physicality and confidence, providing overall growth. Once timid, the girls now travel to distant locations to participate in tournaments and have won several trophies for their skills. The traditional mindset of the villagers has also been changed, witnessing the transformation of their beloved mothers and daughters. Women’s empowerment through sport is not just a word in the village but an objective reality.

The lead image features two tribal girls playing football.

Sudip Maiti is an independent photographer and filmmaker from Kolkata. He is the winner of Chennai Photo Biennale 2023.