Sexual Exploitation, Lack Of Coaching, Corruption And More: Reveals The Former Indian Football Captain

In India, there is never an easy way for a woman athlete to be successful in a field that is dominated by men. She always has to fight the odds of the family, then the society to achieve her goals. And former captain of Indian women football team, Sona Chaudhary, in her latest book reveals unabashedly how badly women were treated and exploited during her playing days.

The book titled “Game in Game” narrates how the everyone from the administration to the coach, the secretary used to rampantly harass the female players of the team.

In the book that was launched in Varanasi recently, Sona wrote about the incidents she faced herself and her other teammates during their playing days. She revealed that players often were asked to compromise for a place in the squad.

Speaking to PTI, she said “I have not accused any specific person or organisation, I have brought out the deficiencies in the system. How the women footballers were treated badly, how they were given accommodation during tournaments and during tours, what kind of diets they were given, how they fought the odds.”

The ex-captain who has claimed to play for India from 1994 to 1998, said that women players had to face exploitation in both state and national level. There was no end to their miseries.

She also said that today there is a big support system for women athletes in India, which was completely absent during their time. She hopes that the upcoming players don’t have to face such exploitation.

Sources in All India Football Federation (AIFF) said that they are first finding out whether she played for India and if she didn’t, the governing body will take strict action against her.