Three women footballers from Jharkhand have been selected for the national camp ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, which are scheduled to be held between June and July.
A total of 39 potential players have been announced for the national camp, including three girls from the residential sports centre in the Gumla district of Jharkhand.
The selected players are Purnima Kumari, Vikas Bada and Sumati Kumari. Sumati Kumari is currently serving with the Assam Rifles and is also a regular member of the Indian senior women’s football team.
Purnima Kumari has previously represented India at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, while Vikas Bada has also been a part of the Indian Under-17 team.
Their coach expressed pride in the achievements of the trio, stating that they have brought honour to the country by consistently being part of India’s junior teams. The selection has also generated enthusiasm among other girls training at the residential sports complex.
Locals highlighted that these athletes, coming from rural backgrounds, have had to overcome several challenges due to inadequate facilities and limited government support. They pointed out the absence of a proper football training ground, which has made regular practice difficult for the players.
Nevertheless, the recent selection of these three footballers is being seen as a positive sign. Many believe that with the right support and opportunities, these talented girls can permanently secure a place in the Indian national team.
Follow us
