Irinjalakuda: The girls’ football team of Avittathoor LBSM School seems undeterred even by the heavy rain that has been lashing the state. The 24-member team would be present at the school ground at sharp 7 am for their practice session.
The LBSM School is, in fact, one of the very few in Kerala which has a girls’ football team. It was a football training session conducted as part of an NSS camp, in 2016, in the school which led to the formation of the team. NSS program officer Hasitha manages the team. Thomas Kaattookaran, former member of the Kerala team which played in the Santhosh Trophy and a retired police assistant commissioner, is only too happy to train this bunch of enthusiastic girls who are passionate about the game and that too for free. The coach admits that he was overwhelmed by the incredible interest shown by the girls towards football. The five members of the team are presently at the selection camp of the state sub-junior team. Three months ago, the girls’ team confidently took on the boys’ team of the nearby Porathisserry School. Though the team lost for 3 -1, the girls are excited that they were able to score at least one amazing goal against the boys’ team. The team comprises of girls who are between 12–15 years of age.
The team members say in unison that they have the wholehearted support of their parents and teachers. The world cup fever has gripped the girls’ team of LBSM School as well. Though most of them are loyal fans of Argentina and its most prominent player Lionel Messi, teams like Brazil and Germany too are favorites. Portuguese super star Christiano Ronaldo’s incredible moves and amazing goals too are loved by these girls.
The girls of Avittathoor LBSM school, who can’t wait to watch their favourite stars’ mesmerizing performances in the World Cup, reminds us that the soccer is not at all an exclusive game for the boys.
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