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The best player from Maharashtra, part of the Indian National Women’s Team camp – DURVA VAHIA. By qualification she is an AIFF Grassroots Leader, AFC C License Coach. She currently performs many roles as a pro player and a pro coach!
As a player she is part of the National Team Camp, She is the Vice-Captain of the Maharashtra team and also plays for the Bodyline Sports Club in the Mumbai league.
As a coach she is currently working with the Indian Football School as a Goalkeeper Coach, As a Grassroots Leader for the Mumbai City FC, As a Under 15 Mumbai FC Coach and also she run a football academy in her vicinity called the ‘Football Leaders’ Academy’.
WIFA.in in conversation with Durva Vahia.
Q 1 How tough/easy was it to convince the people around you that you would be taking up a career in Indian football
Durva : It was very difficult because there was lack of awareness about women’s football when I decided to take it up professionally. Luckily for me m
y parent were open about me taking up new career option.
Q 2 What are the problems faced by women/girl athletes in India?
Durva : For a women athlete the problem faced is lack of sports culture and being acted in every circle. Professional careers like medicine and law have a pathway which is already structured, but being in this field for 11 years I am still paving the path.
Q 3 What do you think is the biggest issue faced by women in Indian Football?
Durva : I think it’s about lack of awareness of about women playing football at every level — may be district, state or national.
Q 4 What structure do you propose for development of Indian football?
Durva : AIFF has proposed an I league for women, which I feel will definitely improve the playing standard of Indian football. In addition WIFA holds annual inter district tournaments which will greatly help the quality of football in Maharashtra.
Q 5 Do you think somebody has been inspired by you?
Durva : I really hope so, because me being a part of the Indian team is not just a personal achievement but it is the beginning of a pathway I hope girls would follow.
Q 6 Advice for young budding talent?
Durva : The road is not easy, lot of people will advice you and there will be lots of moments when you will feel like quitting but always remember why you started in the first place. No matter what people tell you always believe in yourself.
Q 7 How do you celebrate this day if you were back in your hometown/state?
Durva :Back home I celebrate it with most inspiring women whom I know — my mother, sister and grandmother. They have been fighting for women’s equality since before I was born and showed me the pathway to be the women I am today.
Q 8 ‘Make it happen’ is the slogan for the International women’s day; how do you connect with it? What message would you send out?
Durva : I think “MAKE IT HAPPEN “ is very apt because life isn’t about saying and planning its about actions and what we do with what we have.
