India’s U-17 women’s football team will compete in two tournaments in Italy and Norway as part of its preparation for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Shubhangi Singh, a young footballer from Gujarat, will become the first girl from the state to represent India in Under-17 football tournament in Europe, marking a proud moment for Gujarat football.
According to Shubhangi’s coach Tarun Roy, Shubhangi Singh is the first girl from Gujarat to wear an India cap at these tournaments. The Indian team will be leaving for Italy on Saturday to play the 6th Torneo Female Football tournament.
Apart from India and Italy, teams from Chile and Mexico will compete in the tournament, which will take place from June 22 to 26. From July 1 to 7, the Indian team will travel to Norway to compete in the Open Nordic Tournament WU16, which will feature eight countries.
According to Roy, the final selection camp was held in Jamshedpur on May 22 for 36 players, of which 27 players were shortlisted. On Friday, the final list of 23 players was officially declared. Shubhangi Singh has in fact topped the physical fitness test. She will be playing in the critical ‘central attacking position’.
Shubhangi comes from a modest family based in Songadh town of Tapi district and her father works in the maintenance department of a private factory.
Tarun Roy, senior coach with the Sports Authority of Gujarat, spotted Shubhangi, 12, while visiting Tapi district in 2018 for the Khel Mahakumbh football tournament. She was not only scoring goals on her own, but also assisting the goalkeeper in defending goals for her team. He immediately asked the team coach if they wanted to develop this talent. Shubhangi’s parents agreed to send her to Himmatnagar Academy, where she was trained by Roy and Mohsin Malik for three years. Local authorities worked hard to provide Shubhangi with a scholarship during these three years.
Shubhangi said, “I am not only excited at my selection, but am really looking forward to playing the upcoming football girls Under-17 World Cup.”
She’s already been approached with offers. She’s been offered a spot in the Indian Woman’s League.