Coach’s conviction pays off, DFA Raisen win nat’l tourney

Bhopal: DFA Raisen women’s team scripted a remarkable underdog story in Jhabua on Sunday, capturing the All India Women’s Football Championship title after a dramatic 6–4 win over a powerhouse Sardarpur side in the senior national tournament.

This isn’t a typical rags to riches story. Instead, the triumph marked the culmination of a season defined by grit, sacrifice and unflinching commitment. Many members of the Raisen squad are daughters of labourers who spent long hours working in fields and factories before reporting for training sessions. Their daily routine — backbreaking labour followed by intense practice — has been central to the team’s identity and success.

Coach Param Aswar, the architect of the squad’s revival, has emerged as a pivotal figure in their journey. Facing financial strain that threatened the team’s continued existence, Aswar once borrowed Rs12 lakh to keep the programme afloat. His gamble paid off as Raisen transformed from a struggling outfit into national champions, guided by tactical astuteness and a refusal to yield under pressure.

The title match lived up to its billing as an end-to-end spectacle. Raisen repeatedly matched Sardarpur’s physicality and flair, producing decisive moments in attack and defence. The final scoreline — 6-4 — reflected both teams’ attacking ambitions and the high stakes of the encounter. Raisen’s players combined resilient defending with ruthless finishing to edge past their opponents in a game that swung repeatedly in momentum.

Individual honours underscored the team’s all-round strength. Raisen players picked up several top awards, including best defender, highest scorer and best striker, while one standout performer was named player of the final. The haul of individual accolades highlighted contributions across the pitch — from last-ditch tackles to clinical goals — and underscored the squad’s depth.

For many within the team, the championship is more than silverware; it is vindication for families and communities that supported their dual pursuit of livelihood and sport.

“We have juggled work, family responsibilities and training,” said a player, Komal Prajapati. “This victory belongs to everyone who believed in us,” said coach Param.

Local officials and footballing bodies have praised Raisen’s achievement, calling it a testament to grassroots development and the transformative power of sport. “Plans are already being discussed to better fund and support the girls, so that players no longer need to shoulder such heavy financial burden,” added coach Param.

As girls return home with the national title and a string of individual awards, the story of the team stands as a reminder that talent combined with perseverance — even when financed by personal sacrifice — can topple established powers on the country’s biggest stages.

GFX

Individual awards winners of Raisen

Best defender: Chetanya Sri

Best goalkeeper: Vibha

Player of the match: Anjali

Best striker: Soni Munda and Komal

Top scorer: Soni Munda