Girijadevi: Jack Of All Trades, Master Of One

By Sports Desk The Herald

After the glory days of Yolanda D’Souza, Juliana Colaco, Succorinha Pereira and a few others in the late seventies and early eighties, women football in Goa has lacked the cutting edge. Against this backdrop, 21 year old Girijadevi Dessai, who emerged as the top scorer of the first ever Women’s League, organised by Goa Football Association (GFA), is gearing up to be the answer to Goan eves’ sustained attacking prayers.

In football, strikers have always been a major headache, and the hunt apparently is unending. In Goa’s women football scenario, a string of coaches have spent a large proportion of their hours searching in vain for a ‘quality’ striker. And if there happens to be one, her partner is missing. There’s none to capitalise on the sides always inventive approach. Enter, bubbly Girijadevi Dessai, arguably the most naturally gifted striker in Goa since Yolanda burst on the scene, some 20 years ago.

Talented women strikers, over the years have been many, but none has ever dared to take the professional course. Yes, Girijadevi is hell-bent on being a professional to the core and bring laurels to the State and the country. "I am dead serious about football and want to make a name for myself in this sport. My first target is to get noticed on the National football scene and hopefully in the coming year, represent the country in an international competition," the effervescent striker told SPORTSWatch during a candid chat at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.

Hailing from Cuncolim, Girijadevi has been hooked to football ever since her childhood. "As a child I was fascinated by the ball," she recollects. But this fascination alone was not enough to make the first move. It needed guts as well as determination to be the "sportswoman" that she is. But still there’s lot to achieve.

Girijadevi, has been a former inmate of the SAI Hostel, not for football, but for athletics! " I attended the trials thinking that football selections were going on. I never had an inkling about the athletic trials. The coach found me very agile, sporty, determined and capable to be an athlete and so took me on," recollects, Girija, as she is known by her friends.

With the brakes being applied to football, Girija was confined only to athletics and she rose on to become one of the leading athletes in the West Zone. But that didn’t satiate her. It was football that was her first and only love. And she craved for its company!

After completing her schooling, at Our Lady of Rosary High School, Fatorda, Girija got herself enrolled into Rosary Higher Secondary School, Navelim and it was here that she learn the tricks of the trade — football and ofcourse, got some satisfaction. She was a runaway hit during the tournaments and while deciding on her college, she had only one in mind. "Carmel College — afterall, Olavo Gama is the physical education director and they are known to take keen interest in football. There are also good facilities for sportswomen. It was but natural that I chose Carmel College for my future education. I made my intentions clear to my mum and she gave me the green signal," Girija disclosed. So much for her love for football.

Girija is an exceptional player. She has represented the State in handball, athletics and tennikoit. Truly, a jack of all trades and a master of one — football.

Having started rather late, Girija has been only for two nationals both at Calcutta. Unfortunately, she failed to get herself recognised. And when at her peak she could not attend the nationals as examinations came her way. "She is a better player than me and can definitely make it to the India team," confessed Uvena Fernandes, Girija’s close friend and one who was recently selected for the India camp.

Coach Olavo Gama, anxious to spark a revival for women football in Goa, needs no reminding of the strikers’ prowess and the ability to tuck away chances. Her performance in the GFA Women’s League speaks for itself. Seven goals in just three encounters and what a beginning it was for her — four goals including a hattrick in the inaugural duel. "I don’t think there can be any doubt that Girijadevi Dessai is special, a youngster who looks like a genuine champion," says Gama.

She is a mastery creator of chances, thanks to her speed, skill and awareness, and a specialist in off-the-ball runs which pull defenders out of position. Girijadevi is above else a very intelligent player, She thinks so quickly and, allied to her good touch on the ball, that keeps her a step away from markers.

"I would like her to improve her game, only then will she become a complete player. She is a very consistent, has the temperament of a fighter and often makes goals for others," adds Gama, who according Girija herself, has played a major role in shaping herself as a player.

Girija attributes her success to herself but hastily adds that her mother Lila Dessai, sisters, Aarti and Rajshri, Aunty Mao along with Sameer, Savio and her friend, Diego Coutinho, has motivated her when the chips are down. "They have played a definite role in my resurgence," she admits.

Giving vent to her grievances, the sharpshooter lamented the step-motherly treatment to women’s football in the State. "Here in Goa people only appreciate and support men’s football. The government supports and felicitates men footballers, while ignoring us," Girijadevi elaborated. "Even if we perform well and bring laurels to the State, our efforts are not recognised. The fact that there is no mass participation in women’s football could be because there is no money involved in the game, which attracts people to the game," opined Girija adding that it is high time the scene changes.

There has been many women who have taken to sports. But evidently, none has taken it seriously. But Girijadevi is a rare exception. She has done as much, if not more, to be successful as anyone else. However with most of the top women players, opting for Mumbai as their base, in search of greener pastures, Goa can only hope that the golden girl stays immune to the transfer fever.