No Foul Play Shield 2023 - Edition 1
What happens when a few parents of women footballers come together to advocate against foul play and promote inclusion in sports? The dream of a few working women, to play football like their male counterparts comes true on a Saturday in March!
What started as a social media campaign #NoFoulPlay to raise awareness about all types of foul play in the sports ecosystem - sexual abuse, gender bias, stereotyping and bullying - is fast growing into a movement and a community that is giving a voice, offering support and finding opportunities for women, for now, in the sport of football.
On March 18, 50 women from 5 corporations across Bangalore, competed hard and supported each other in the first of its kind, corporate women’s football league. This first edition of #NoFoulPlay Shield was the perfect example of women supporting women. The atmosphere was competitive yet friendly, friendships were forged, support was rallied. All teams played fairly and even stayed back till the very end to cheer on the finalists and the winners. They also spoke candidly about their experiences, thoughts and dreams. They supported other Women Owned and Managed Businesses (WOMB) that had come to support the event by setting up a mini handmade bazaar.
The journey of #NoFoulPlay started less than a year ago, as a reaction to a news article about a national coach who was accused of sexual exploitation of an underage player on the women’s U17 national football team. Six pairs of parents who had just started a women’s football club and a foundation to support girls playing football, their own and a few others, reacted with a range of emotions, and decided to do something about it. A campaign was launched with support from Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) during the Karnataka Women’s League (KWL) 2022. Since then we have been focusing on awareness and prevention. Our website was launched to create an awareness campaign. We collaborated with leading counsellors from The Able Mind to provide support for those who need it. Our social media gave a voice to women in sports.
Through our conversations over the last few months, another theme emerged very strongly. Most sportswomen give up on their loved sport, once they complete education and enter the workforce. And from there germinated the idea of the #NoFoulPlay Shield, an event exclusively for working women, from corporations large and small, to come and play, have some fun and support Women Owned and Managed Businesses (WOMB).
As the wheels were set in motion, we realised that along with the enthusiasm, there were a few hurdles. Some corporates supported the idea whole-heartedly but found it impossible to get enough women interested in playing. On one end of the spectrum, was a team from a big consulting firm, where more than 20 players volunteered and were going to come down from Mumbai and Delhi to Bangalore, and on the other end was a team that found getting even the minimum five players impossible. Finally with some perseverance, six teams managed to register.
The proverbial stage was set at VeloCT Sports, early on Saturday, March 18. Banners were up, Winners shields were on display, WOMB stalls were set up and the registration desk was ready. As players and their supporters started streaming in, the crisp Bangalore air started buzzing electric. There was one final twist remaining in the tale, before the players took to the field. When they were handed the fixtures, there were murmurs that the format was giving each team only two matches each and maybe a semi final or final, if they qualify. These murmurs turned into a polite yet strong demand to the organisers, when one of the six teams failed to turn up. They wanted more. We were happy to oblige and changed it to a round robin format.
As the teams took the field, their supporters got into action as. Every pass was cheered, every tackle was appreciated and the roof was raised with every goal. On the field, the game was fierce but fair. Hard tackles were followed with an apology and a hand of support, good saves by the opponent were acknowledged with a smile and a clap, and even losses were accepted with sincere sportsmanship.
As always these women were showing the world how it is done. Two best teams of the league made it to the finals.
They were thrilled to see Mrs. Chitra Gangadharan, former captain and goalkeeper, Indian national football team, on the field to congratulate them and offer them a few words of encouragement. In her inimitable style, Mrs. Chitra was sweet and tough at the same time, when she told them: “Keep playing! Don’t let this be a one time thing.”
It was almost dusk by the time the final match began, but all teams waited to cheer on their favourite team. The final match was fought very hard, but the best team of the lot stepped up their game in the second half, and came away as winners.
The prize distribution ceremony wrapped up a day of fierce competition on the field and friendly rivalries off it, culminating with promises to play often and requests for the next edition of the #NoFoulPlay Shield.
Rest assured that we will bring it to you sooner rather than later. Until then, please make your pledge of #NoFoulPlay and follow us on Instagram for regular updates.
Hope you continue to play this beautiful game, Jogo Bonito!
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