Kolkata: Teenage Manipuri defender Shilky Devi expressed her desire to represent India in the upcoming AFC Woman’s Asian Cup after being called up for the preparatory camp for the 2022 AFC Woman’s Asian Cup by head coach Thomas Dennerby.
“I have a lot to improve defensively. I need to work on the timings of my tackle and there are a few other areas as well. We have got good facilities here in Jharkhand like gym, good training pitch and I have to make the most of this opportunity. I need to get selected for the Indian team first. That’s my primary aim,” Shilky stated with a steely resolve.
15 years old Shilky had a fortunate childhood, her parents were football lovers and have thoroughly supported their daughter in making her passion a reality.
“In my childhood, I used to play with boys as there were not many girls in my village who would play football. My father had no problems and he encouraged me a lot. In my hometown, there is one academy and I got enrolled there. But soon I moved to SAI (Sports Authority of India) Imphal and I trained there for one year,” she narrated to Goal.
She stepped into the professional career with Langthabal Club in Manipur under coach Surmala as a striker. She helped her home cinch a win against Odisha. Her goal scoring prowess continued as skipper Shilky’s hat-trick to kick-start 2018 SAFF U-15 Championship. She even featured in the semi-final and final as India won the title.
Shilky was infact adjudged as the most promising player in the Tri Nation U17 international tournament 2019 in India which included Sweden and Thailand.
Shilky transformed into a defender under Dennerby who had trained her before as the U-17 women’s coach and her performances have impressed him to such a height that he had no doubts in allowing her to rub shoulders with defenders like Ashalata Devi and Sanju.
“I loved to score goals and I would copy Neymar’s celebration. But right now I like to follow Sergio Ramos since I am playing as a center back,” she said. With that, she is also adapting herself to the more rigorous training sessions of the senior national team. ” said the 15 year old.
“I had earlier trained under Dennerby Sir, but there’s a lot of difference in intensity in training with the senior team. We have to run a lot more and the drills are also more intense.” added she.
Shilky resolved of shaping herself as a better defender although she was really disappointed after 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was cancelled, the national team call up has renewed her zeal. It’s a commendable achievement for a teenager to make into the 23-member squad and it wouldn’t be surprising if she makes into the starting XI.
