Bengal: Footballer Puja Karmakar doing well in her studies too, for a better future

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Kolkata, March 31: Puja Karmakar is 22-year-old young girl who struck a hat-trick in the inaugural Kolkata women's premier football league on Thursday (March 30).

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Puja's mother is a maid and she lost her father in her childhood. Her mother was a kabaddi player. But due to poverty and lack of environmental back-up, her mother had to stop playing the game.

But fighting all odds, her mother encouraged Puja to play football, the game she likes the most.

The 22-year old girl has been also struggling against poverty since her childhood but she never gave up.

After scoring the first hat-trick of the season in the women's league, Puja said, “I have also represented under-19 Indian women's team, a couple of years ago. But then I got a severe injury in my right knee. I was out of the field for six months. But I didn't lose hope. My mother kept inspiring me continuously by telling tales of renowned characters so that I gain confidence and start training regularly."

Puja's coach Ratan Som also had high praise for his student. Some said on Thursday, “You just cannot imagine how they fight for living. Still Puja and her mother's die-hard mentality are guiding Puja towards success. I believe Puja has ability to again represent the Indian team, even at the senior level."

The striker has been also been exceptional on another front. She is continuing her studies along with football.

Puja said, “Now I am on the way to complete my graduation. My mother always says if I cannot complete my graduation I will not get job. I know that women's football is neglected by the employers in Bengal. Even looking at Indian scenario, women's football is not adorned. So, I can only get a job after completing my graduation."

But at the same time, Puja sets her eyes on the franchise based women's football league and said, “I must have to perform in a level so that I get a call from franchise based women's professional league. I know playing there can change my life."

OneIndia News