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GOAL Their passion for football has overcome many obstacles

At a reception at the Iranian embassy, the young players were greeted with cheers, an indication of the popularity of the game in Iran. But a rendezvous with them was open only to women journalists.

“Football is hugely popular in Iran. There was a lot of excitement when the men’s team qualified for the World Cup,” says Khadijeh Sepanji, vice-president, Women’s Affairs. But for players used to performing before an all-woman crowd in their country, was it tough playing before a mixed crowd in India?

Katahyunne Khosrowyar, 18-year-old midfielder, quickly replies, “It is a normal experience for us. We have earlier performed in front of a mixed audience in Jordan for the West Asian Games.”

When football is a passion, the players vouch that even the seemingly cumbersome attire does not come in the way.

“When the players are on the field they work towards a goal. It is important to reach it and they don’t care about what they are wearing,” explains Khadijeh.

In a sports crazy country where football tops the popularity list, the players say even games such as volleyball, basketball and kabaddi are gaining visibility.

Khadijeh says women’s football is merely two years old in Iran and they’re already making their presence felt in the international scene. If there is a game more popular than football, it is futsal or indoor football, as Khosrowyar explains.

“We started the Futsal Federation seven years ago and now there are more than 1,000 teams,” says Khadijeh and Khosrowyar translates. “From the futsal players, the ones who are physically suited for football are selected and brought into the game,” says Khadijeh.

Be it football or futsal, one realises that passion for the game runs deep. “Even as a six-year-old, I loved football. I loved to kick, push and run. It makes you mentally strong and teaches you patience. Seeing my interest in the game, my father told me to pick up a ball and run,” says the U.S.-born Iranian-French Khosrowyar in her impeccable English.

For the Captain of the team, 26-year-old Masoomen Jahanchi, the journey to football began with futsal. “Even as a youngster I was eager to play,” she says.

Fereshteh Karimi, the 18-year-old forward and mid-fielder, looks every bit a football freak with a white band on her forehead.

Fereshteh knows only one name when it comes to football heroes — Christiano Ronaldo.

P. ANIMA

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