Raipur, 02 April (H.S.):

Chhattisgarh’s rising footballer Kiran Pisda has carved out a national‑level identity through sheer hard work, relentless effort, and a resilient mindset. Recently, in the semifinal of the Khelo India Tribal Games against Arunachal Pradesh, her composed goal‑keeping during the penalty shootout highlighted her experience and self‑confidence.

The 24‑year‑old is now seen as being at the peak of her career. She has already represented India at the senior level and has also played for the Croatian Women’s League club Dinamo Zagreb in Europe. Her standout quality is her versatility, which allows her to play in almost any position on the field.

Kiran’s journey has not been easy, yet she received strong backing from her school and family early on. Her brother Girish, himself a national‑level footballer, became a major source of inspiration for her.

She said, “I got a lot of support in school. That’s where I first got opportunities to play at the state and then the national level, and with every selection my confidence kept growing.”

She later moved to Raipur to pursue a degree in physical education. Her performances in the Chhattisgarh Women’s League caught the selection committee’s eye, earning her an invitation to the national camp. At that stage, however, she admits she was not yet ready for that level.

Quoting SAI Media, she said, “Back then, my fitness and mental preparedness were not at the level of the senior players, so I was not selected. But I learned a lot from that experience.”

After that, Kiran put in intense effort to improve herself. She focused on building her fitness, analysed matches, and upgraded her understanding of different positions. The biggest change came in her mindset.

She added, “I told myself that no matter what happens, I will not think negatively, because that directly affects my performance.”

Her coach, Yogesh Kumar Jangra, played a key role in this transformation. Kiran said, “Whenever I feel weak or low, I talk to him. He constantly motivates me to stay positive and keep moving forward.”

Following strong performances at the domestic level, she earned chances to play for clubs such as Kerala Blasters. She continued to refine her game and turned her versatility into a core strength.

Kiran noted, “I started as a striker, then played in midfield, and now I am playing as a full‑back for the national team. A player must be ready for any position.”

She has been part of the Indian squad for the 2022 SAFF Championship and has represented the country on multiple occasions. However, missing out on selection for major tournaments has also been part of her journey. Not being chosen for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup held in Australia recently was a disappointment.

She said, “Missing selection for a big tournament is painful, but I now treat it as motivation and push myself to work even harder.”

Kiran has also learned to handle pressure and believes mental toughness is crucial at the highest level.

She explained, “When you play at the top level, pressure is always there. Learning to manage that pressure is essential.”

Coming from a tribal background, Kiran firmly believes that remote regions are not short of talent, but they lack opportunities. Platforms like the Khelo India Tribal Games, she says, are helping bridge that gap.

She said, “There is a lot of talent in tribal areas, but they don’t get enough opportunities. These competitions give them a platform and the confidence to move forward.”

At present, Kiran’s goal is to keep performing consistently in the Indian Women’s League and secure a regular place in the national team.

She added, “If you are not selected, it does not mean you are not a good player. It simply means you need to work harder.”

Kiran Pisda’s story is not only inspiring for the sports world, but it also demonstrates that through hard work and a positive mindset, success can be achieved even in the face of challenging circumstances.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar