With Football, Trailblazer Tribal Player Bhabani Munda Aims For More Than A Goal

In March 2024, UN Women India and the Ford Foundation launched a book, 'हम | When Women Lead', on the occasion of International Women's Day to spotlight the unheard stories of 75 women leading change in diverse fields across the country. 

In collaboration with UN Women India, SheThePeople brings forward eight of the many such stories to the spotlight. We begin with Bhabani Munda, a 32-year-old football coach from a tribal community in West Bengal, who is taking the sports landscape by storm one goal at a time. Her fortitude against gender discrimination and social barriers exemplifies an undying spirit of leadership.

Bhabani Munda's Story

Bhabani was born into a conservative tribal family in Kalchini in the Jalpaiguri district. Although she realised her love for football at just seven years old, she, like many other women in the community, was prohibited from playing due to regressive gender and cultural norms.

While Bhabani's brother was encouraged to pursue his passions, she was expected to abide by social norms. She was restricted from going out, wearing shorts, and playing sports. Her family often asked her, 'How will you find a groom if you break your leg while playing?'.

However, Bhabani's enthusiasm and conviction in her skills were far too resilient to be broken by these norms. She refused to settle for the restrictive domestic lifestyle imposed on women in her community. For Bhabani, football was more than just a sport. It was a revelation of her potential.

Bhabani Munda Played Football To Prove Herself, She Teaches It Now To Revolt Patriarchy

While Bhabani was zealous about fulfilling her sporting dreams, she knew the journey would be arduous. Her tribal village had meagre facilities for training and little support for women players. She lacked football shoes, a jersey, financial support, and proper nutrition. 

Bhabani fought challenges that went beyond the field -- she was often stared at inappropriately as she played the game of football wearing shorts, facing the harsh scrutiny of a patriarchal society quick to judge her choices. However, her consistent hard work and focus on her goal remained undeterred.

This determination is what led Bhabani to take her talent to bigger fields as she began competing in district-level championships. Yet, the journey was not an easy one. From training at the break of dawn to working at a snack shop to make ends meet, her life became a balancing act.

Inspiring More Young Girls

Although Bhabani faced many challenges, she was determined to encourage more girls to break societal shackles and experience the joy of playing sports. While juggling her numerous responsibilities, she went door to door, offering to coach girls in football.

Bhabani's efforts were successful as she soon formed a football team of tribal girls called Dooars XI. The team has competed in several tournaments and brought home many accolades, further inspiring many other girls to break the boundaries imposed by patriarchy and pursue their passions.

Bhabani's trailblazing story and athleticism have garnered immense praise, with coaching opportunities from overseas flowing in. However, she remains deeply committed to her roots and her goal to unite women and foster an empowered, passionate, and fit community.

Bhabani has won the Bangla Ratna Award for her transformative leadership. This recognition highlights not only her sporting prowess but also her extraordinary contributions to the tribal community and her role in paving the way for uplifting future generations of women. 

Disclaimer: This story's inspiration comes from the book When Women Lead.