Komal Kumari

Komal Kumari’s father, a Grade-III government employee, never gave up hope his daughter would make it big in her career.

The 18-year-old youngster has been selected to represent India at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Women’s Championship Qualifying Round 2014 at Amman, Jordan, to be held from November 3 to 9. She is the only one to be selected from Bihar.

One among five siblings, Komal had to face a lot of financial hurdles while playing the sport to prove her mettle. Her father Ashok Kumar put in all his effort to bring up his kids in a proper way. Battling all odds, she refused to give up and never stopped dreaming.

The AFC Under-19 Championship, formerly known as the AFC Youth Championship, is a biennial international association football competition organised by the sport’s Asian governing body, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The competition has been held since 1959. Between 1959 and 1978, the contest was held every year. Since 1980, it has been held every two years.

Talking from Gujarat over phone, Komal (the only one to be selected from Bihar) said: “We have worked hard and expecting a win. Let us see what happens. I have represented the country in Malaysia and Vietnam in 2011. After three years, now I would play in Jordan. I know the challenge will be tough. Apart from hard work, luck is also important.”

Highly inspired by Argentine forward Lionel Messi, the youth has set her eyes on the championship to be held in China after winning the qualifiers in Jordan. Komal battled it out with 29 others to be picked in the camp (September 19 to November 2) in Gujarat.

The Bihar lass has been playing football since she was in Class VII at Children’s Academy in Muzaffarpur. She had joined Mahila Football Club. The girl is also pursuing a BA degree in home science (Part-I) at Mahila Shilpkala Mahavidyalaya. She said she learnt the sport from coach Afzal Husain.

Komal who defends and does a bit of goalkeeping, said: “I dream to play more games and take part in senior India tournaments. I dream of bringing laurels to the country.”

The teenager, who was inspired by her neighbour Shikha when she started out, gave a message to her juniors that there is no substitute for hard work. She said her elder sister too plays the sport and added that the credit for their success should be given to her mother Manju Devi.

Komal’s coach Hussain is proud of her. He said: “I have always seen her work hard and I am proud of her. She never backed out.”