Rare Talent: Sulekha’s March From Bhubaneswar Slum To Indian Women’s League

Bhubaneswar: In a rare example of dedication and determination, a young girl from a slum of Bhubaneswar has emerged as a brilliant football player in Indian Women’s League (IWL).

Attracted to football since childhood, Sulekha Kahar, a Class VIII student of IRC Village High School in Bhubaneswar, used to play in the playground of Salia Sahi where she stays with her parents. While looking for talented players, football coach Jaydev Mohapatra spotted Sulekha playing with slum children.

Mohapatra could know from the skills and stamina of 15-year-old Sulekha that she could be an outstanding player with proper training and with the permission of her parents, he took her under his tutelage. Endowed with natural talent, Sulekha sharpened her skills by learning finer points of the football and excelled in each game.

Now, Sulekha plays for Mata Rukmini Football Academy in Chhattisgarh. She played for her team in the ongoing season of Indian Women League, taking the Academy to the final round. The academy has a sports hostel for 500 players in Jagdalpur, Bastar.

But the rise of Sulekha from Salia Sahi slum to IWL has been a story of struggle and passion for football. Her mother Meena Tirkey had come from Sundargarh to work as daily labourer and was staying in Salia Sahi. She got married to Santanu Kahar and Sulekha was born.

A few years after, Santanu expired leaving Sulekha and mother to fend for themselves. In spite of the poverty and struggle to sustain, Sulekha used to devote most of her time to football playing with the children of her slum.

Meanwhile, Meena got married for second time. Sulekha’s step father not only admitted her in the school but also encouraged to play football. Ultimately, the struggle and unbreakable spirit earned rewards for Sulekha.

Sulekha aspires to be a part of the national team and play in international tournaments for the country. Her coach is confident that given her talent, she would definitely achieve her goal one day.