In picture: Nitu Linda and Anita Kumari; Photo Credit: AIFF Website

The Jharkhand government, on Thursday, stated that they will ensure all possible support to the seven tribal girls from the state selected for the national coaching camp for the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup 2022.

The India U-17 women’s team has re-assembled in Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, for a coaching camp as part of its preparation for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled to be held in India in October this year.

A total of 33 players, including seven from Jharkhand, have been called up to the camp that will see the team prepare for the upcoming challenge ahead under the coaching of Thomas Dennerby. 

The girls from Jharkand are Anjali Munda, Salina Kumari, Sudha Ankita Tirkey, Astam Oraon, Purnima Kumari, Nitu Linda, and Anita Kumari. 

The Jharkhand government was impressed with the courage and patience that was shown by girls during the pandemic. In a statement, the Jharkhand government spoke to India Today, “Now, they are all set to represent the nation. The state government... has also shown the much-needed willingness to make their dreams come true. Support shall be extended to the selected candidates coming out of the camps by the Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs.”

One of the players, Poornima Kumari, a native of Gumla who has been selected for the camp, said, "My village did not have the facilities for practice, especially for girls playing football. But help and support from the state ensured that I could play.”

The team will be training at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur with logistical and infrastructural aid from the government of Jharkhand and Tata Steel. 

Meanwhile, FIFA recently announced Bhubaneswar, Goa, and Navi Mumbai as the host cities for the U-17 Women’s World Cup as well as confirming the draw for the tournament, which will take place in Zurich on June 24. The World Cup will take place in India from October 11 to 30