Gumla Girls Reach Subroto Cup Final, Set to Face Mizoram on August 27

The girls from St Patrick’s School, Gumla, have made Jharkhand proud by reaching the final of the 65th Subroto Mukerjee Football Cup in the Under-17 girls’ category. Representing Jharkhand at the national level, the team will take on Mizoram in the final in New Delhi on August 27.

The team’s journey to the national final began at the district level. After putting up strong performances in the South Chotanagpur division and the state-level competition, the Gumla players earned the opportunity to represent Jharkhand at the national tournament.

The players have also been receiving regular training at the residential girls’ football training centre at the Indoor Stadium in Gumla. The structured training has helped the team improve its fitness, technical skills and understanding of the game.

At the national tournament in New Delhi, Jharkhand made an impressive start in the league stage, defeating teams from Tripura, Rajasthan, Delhi and Army Public School to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The team continued its strong run in the knockout stage, defeating Bihar 5-1 in the quarter-final to book a place in the last four.

The semi-final proved to be a closely fought contest against CISCE. With both sides level at the end of regulation time, the match went into extra time. Jharkhand eventually sealed its place in the final through goals from Usha Kumari and Sabarni Kumari.

Under the leadership of captain Bina Kumari, the team has shown strong coordination and discipline throughout the tournament. Goalkeepers Khushbu Kumari and Archana Dungdung have handled the responsibility at the back, while Sabarni Kumari, Manisha Dungdung and Usha Kumari have made a significant impact in attack.

Gauri Singh, Seema Oraon, Sweety Minz and Kriti Oraon have also played important roles in the team’s successful campaign.

With the biggest match of the tournament now ahead, the players are continuing their preparations in New Delhi. Coach and trainer Bina Kerketta is focusing on the team’s fitness, technical execution and match strategy, while physiotherapist Ayushi and manager Bindu Kujur are accompanying the squad.

The team is also receiving encouragement from the Jharkhand Education Project Council. State Programme Officer Dhirsen Soreng has remained in regular contact with the players and has been motivating them ahead of the final.

The final against Mizoram on August 27 will be a major opportunity for the Gumla players to cap their impressive national campaign with the championship title. The Gumla district administration has conveyed its best wishes to the team and expressed hope that the young players will bring the Subroto Cup trophy home.
 

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