Tragic! International-level West Bengal woman footballer now runs a tea-stall
In another story of how life gets in the way of one's dreams, a woman footballer, who represented the country 10 years ago, is now running a roadside tea stall in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal. Kalpana Roy, 26, also coaches around 30 boys and trains them twice a day in order to keep herself fit, as she still nurtures the dream of playing again.
Serious leg injury cut short her football dreams
Kalpana's stint as a footballer was cut short in 2013 after she suffered a serious injury in her right leg, during a match in the Women's League, which is conducted by Indian Football Association. "It took me about a year to recover. I got no financial help for the treatment. From then on, I'm running the tea stall," Kalpana said, sadness in her eyes.
Financial constraints, family responsibilities held Kalpana back
Regarding making a comeback to football, Kalpana said she was contacted for trial for the senior national side, adding, "But financial constraints forced me to stay back. I don't have a place to stay in Kolkata. Besides, if I leave, who'll look after my family?" Her father, who ran the tea-stall, suffers from old-age ailments. So she had to take-up the business, she added.
Mother died in 2014; has four sisters, all married
Youngest of five sisters, Kalpana didn't marry as she has to look after her father and other members of the family. Her other four siblings are married and one of them stays with her. Their mother died around four years ago.
Kalpana's two roles: Football coach and of a tea-seller
Though returning to mainstream football seems a distant possibility for her, Kalpana, who used to play as a forward, has kept her passion for the sport ignited. Every day, she dons the coach's hat and starts practicing with the boys in the morning. She then opens the tea-stall around 10am and shuts it around 4pm, after which she again goes for two hours' practice.
Can play at senior level, experienced enough to coach: Kalpana
"The clubs for which the boys play pay me Rs. 3,000 per month. That money is also important to me," said Kalpana, who has played four international matches as an under-19 footballer in 2008. She claims she's fit enough to play at the senior level and experienced enough to coach. "All I need is a job," she says to end her concerns about family.
We have plenty of talents but no infrastructure: Kalpana
If anyone is interested, Kalpana said she can also set up a girls' team taking players from North Bengal. "We have plenty of talents but no infrastructure," Kalpana, who was also a member of U-17 and U-19 sides of the WB team, lamented.
