Jharkhand's Anita Kumari Enters FIFA Under-17 World Cup Camp Despite Poverty

Anita Kumari has been named to the national coaching camp for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup team in Jamshedpur. According to reports, the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in 2022 will feature teams from 16 countries. It will take place between 11 and 30 October at three Indian venues, Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar; Nehru Stadium in Margao; and D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

It's still unclear if Anita will make the final 23-member team for the main tournament. However, the fact that she has gotten this far is quite motivating. Here's her journey so far.

Anita Kumari is a talented football player from Chari-Hochar hamlet in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Kumari belongs to a low-income family and her mother works as a labourer. Her family struggles to make ends meet; they only eat water-fermented rice known as 'mad bhaath'. Fourth child among five sisters, Kumari has had not only deal with poverty but also with a lack of facilities and sports equipment.

Her mother revealed in an interview that despite their dire financial situation, she was able to educate all five of her daughters and marry three of them. She's hoping that Anita's achievement will help the family's financial situation improve.

Meanwhile, her coach, Anand Prasad Gope, stated that "Anita is a dedicated athlete." She made it to this level through her dedication and hard work. Gope provides free training to over 300 children, primarily girls.

According to sources, Anita's voyage was not only fraught with financial difficulties but also social ones. Despite the problems caused by her neighbours, she has been playing football for eight years. The villagers were said to be baffled as to why Anita wore shorts and played football all these years. They reportedly scattered glass fragments on the ground to further deter her from playing.

It is unusual to have a TV or a phone in a home where two meals of food are difficult to come by on a daily basis. As a result, Anita's parents are concerned about their chances of seeing their daughter perform.

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