Slum Children Sports Talent and Education Development Society (SC-Steds) is integral to the lives of people at Vysarpadi. Fighting for slum population’s progress on all fronts is the avowed goal of Steds. Football has helped Steds to forge an identity because the game is a rage among working class youngsters.
What sets Steds academy apart from other football schools in the city is its efforts to include girls in training. The increasing participation of girls in football is a crown in the jewel of Steds. Nearly 50 girls attend training every weekend. Their enthusiasm is infectious. The oppression of women is prevalent in the poorer section of the society. Gender bias is entrenched in the slums of Vysarpadi. Not long ago, girls coming to the playground were sneered at. Today, thanks to the pioneering work of Steds, girls don’t miss a training session. Wearing shorts is no taboo and going out of Chennai for football tournaments is a badge of honour.
N. Umapathy, a coach with Steds, said his organisation has always made it a point to integrate girls in all its activities. “We want to give equal opportunities to girls. We don’t want them to miss out on playing the exciting game of football,” he said.
Playing football is a liberating experience for girls at Vysarpadi. Given a choice to choose between going to a movie or coming to the ground, most of them would opt for the latter.
It’s to the credit of Steds coaches that football has become part of many young girls’ lives.
R. Marthal, 18, is a flag-bearer of the girls’ football brigade at Steds. The fierce competitor has been attending training at the academy for the last two years. “I enjoy the experience so much that I wish I had come here much earlier. I’m able to concentrate on studies better after I started playing football. From leadership to discipline, the ground teaches me many important qualities,” she said.
Marthal, whose father is a welder, is doing her first year B.Com at Quaide Milleth College. She had scored 1051 in Plus Two. Even though her academic credentials are excellent, the dependable defender’s burning ambition is to become a top-class football player. There are fewer competitions for girls in football but she isn’t disheartened. Marthal is confident that her dream will one day come true.
The teenager is also keen to contribute her bit to the growth of Steds that has played a crucial role in her development. “Steds is like a family for me. I’m thrilled that nearly 40 girls came to take part in the football tournament sponsored by Amaranta Entertainment on Saturday and Sunday. I’m sure more and more young girls will take up football to show that they aren’t far behind boys in this great sport,” Marthal said.
