UditVani, Jamshedpur: For Ankita Kumari and 21 of her teammates, the matchday begins long before kickoff.
It starts with a three-and-a-half-hour road journey from Ranchi to Jamshedpur -powered by passion, patience, and the rare promise of competitive football in the Jamshedpur Super League.
In a sporting landscape where organised match exposure for young women footballers remains limited beyond major hubs, the league has emerged as a vital platform. For these girls, it offers what they often miss back home -real match situations, structured competition, and the thrill of playing in a proper league environment.
The effort is far from symbolic. The Ranchi-based contingent has been divided into three teams -Blue, Yellow and Diamond Divas -competing in the Girls division alongside 17 other sides, taking the total to 20 teams. Overall, 22 players from the group are participating, most of them under 17, with several having represented Jharkhand at district and state levels.
“We have the passion to play football, but there are very few chances to play competitive matches in Ranchi,” said Ankita Kumari.
Teammate Urvanshi Kumari echoed the sentiment, underlining the broader impact of the initiative.
“Jamshedpur FC is doing a very good job by organising a girls’ league. Most tournaments are usually for boys. This gives girls like us a proper platform. When there is a match to play, the long travel doesn’t feel tiring,” she said.
The players are part of a residential academy run by the Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society in Ranchi, which focuses on identifying and nurturing talent from rural and semi-urban areas. Some members of the squad have also been part of India age-group probables, reflecting the quality within the team.
Coach Mukut Khess believes such tournaments are essential for their growth. “Exposure is the biggest benefit.
These girls come largely from rural backgrounds and need regular matches to build skills and confidence.
Playing in a league like this prepares them for higher levels. A few are already on the radar, and with this experience they can aim for Indian Women’s League 2 this year or next,” he said.
For the players, the seven-hour round trip, early departures and physical fatigue are small prices to pay for meaningful game time.
More importantly, their presence adds depth and diversity to the Girls division, reinforcing the inclusive, community-driven spirit of the Jamshedpur Super League—where dreams travel miles to find the right pitch.
