Mumbai, 17 September (H.S.): Indian national women’s football team player Dalima Chhibber has joined Nova Sports and has been appointed Football Culture and Player Pathway Lead. She will play an active role in developing the curriculum for Nova Football Academy, the player development framework and the athlete mentorship programme.

Dalima will also serve as a point of contact for players, coaches and parents. In addition, she will represent the Nova Sports brand both on and off camera.

Her role will also include contributing to the development of the broader football ecosystem. This will involve bringing coaches together, supporting their training and development, and particularly identifying and promoting women coaches. Dalima will also contribute to creating systems that provide support to players at different stages of their development.

Speaking about joining Nova Sports, Dalima said, “As players and as women footballers, we have long been asking for a more structured system and for people who can help take the sport forward. It is very encouraging to see Capri Sports come forward with this initiative. There is tremendous potential in women’s football, and I am excited to be part of building this pathway.”

She added, “I am excited to bring my experience as a player and sports psychologist, along with my international-level experience, to the development of Nova Sports’ programmes and football curriculum. A player’s development is not limited to teaching them how to kick a ball. A great deal more is required for the holistic development of an athlete.”

Dalima said football requires both mental and physical preparation, along with proper guidance, nutrition and support. She said, “My role is not only to shape the pathway and philosophy of player development, but also to build a system in which young girls can see themselves, aspire to pursue professional football, dream big and ultimately reach the national team.”

Supernova Football Championship Held in Bengaluru

Prior to Dalima’s appointment, Nova Sports organised the inaugural Supernova Football Championship in Bengaluru. The two-day, seven-a-side competition featured teams from various schools across Bengaluru. The tournament gave young girls an opportunity to compete, showcase their talent and play football in a dedicated match-day environment.

Dalima attended the competition as a special guest. She said, “When I started playing, tournaments like these did not exist. This was one of the biggest grassroots women’s football events I have seen in India. It was wonderful to see so many young girls from different age groups and school teams showcasing their talent and competing against one another, because I never had the opportunity to see anything like this when I was growing up.”

She said, “There have been significant gaps in infrastructure, facilities, access and the level of support required for player development. Through Nova Sports, we want to address these gaps. Our goal is not simply to teach girls how to play football, but to support their holistic development as both players and individuals.”

Dalima’s association with Nova Sports will bring the long-term initiative the experience and perspective of an accomplished Indian footballer. Her experience of playing at the highest level, combined with her understanding of the challenges and opportunities in women’s football, is expected to provide valuable guidance to young players.

Dalima’s active involvement from the early stages of Nova Sports’ plans will provide young footballers with mentorship and a strong role model, helping them chart a pathway for their football careers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar