14-year-old, football enthusiast and defender, Gauri Gurav, from Don Bosco High School Naigaon, has been selected to play for India’s 23-member squad for SAFF under 16 Women’s Championship.

Gauri will represent India in South Asian Football Federation Championship. She is the first girl from Palghar District and from Don Bosco’s Naigaon, to represent India in football.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, Gauri took up football and never wanted to stop. She has diligently prepared for each competition, competed for the school at the district and taluka levels, and contributed significantly to the school’s success in bringing home important awards.

Fr. Anthony Fonseca, the principal, has encouraged students to participate in sports and highlighted the importance of having bravery, working together, and sharing knowledge in order to succeed in future undertakings. “The school has encouraged pupils to play sports as part of its goal to support their all-round development, not just for physical fitness but also as a means of pursuing a vocation,” he said.

Fr. Joaquim Fernades, sdb, Vice Principal and Sports Director, said “Today is a happy moment for our school and I congratulate Ms Gauri Guarav on her being selected to play for country India. Thanks to all the coaches who have nurtured her talent. Our school has training programme schedules from grade – I onwards, in different sporting spheres viz football, basketball, skating, athletics, gymnastics and Indian games. There are regular sporting competitions during the school breaks, and a sports curriculum designed which is interdisciplinary and collaborative and regular maintenance of performance records of the students. Our school has evaluation in terms of achievement of goals and objectives with regular assessments and ethical standards for teachers/coaches and athletes and participants. Our institution creates transformational leadership through sports and the coach-athlete relationship ignites a sense of groupness and manages emotions of the children for better social interaction.”

Speaking about her struggles and hardships Gauri’s mother, Ashwini Gurav said, “My kid had to fight hard to get her current status. We couldn’t even afford to buy her a football kit. She practiced and participated by taking what she could from others. Our only option was to assist her. Her goal has always been to compete at the national level in football. We are so proud of her.”

The coach, Emmanuel Ilo, expressed his happiness saying, “This was intended to happen! Gauri is a committed, reliable, and enthusiastic participant. She would always give the game her all and would never skip a practice.”

Gauri will finally have the chance to talk about her experience, talk football, and meet friends from all over the nation. Gauri’s struggle, her commitment and will power has indeed turned her dream into a reality.
By Dorothy Fernandes