The India U-17 women’s team has re-assembled in Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, for a coaching camp as part of its preparation for the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled to be held in India in October this year.

A total of 33 players, including seven from Jharkhand, have been called up to the camp that will see the team prepare for the upcoming challenge ahead under the coaching of Thomas Dennerby. The squad that has assembled in Jamshedpur features 12 players from the side that won the SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship title earlier this year.

The team will be training at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur with logistical and infrastructural aid from the government of Jharkhand and Tata Steel. Incidentally, the camp for the SAFF U-18 was also held in Jamshedpur.

Significantly, the Fifa under-17 women’s World Cup would be played at Bhubaneswar, Goa and Mumbai.

Those selected from the Jharkhand are Anjali Kumar Munda, Salina Kumari, Sudha Ankita Tirkey, Astam Oraon, Purnima Kumari, Nitu Linda and Anita Kumari. All are in the age group of 14 to under-17. While Purnima hails from Simdega, Astam, Salina and Sudha are from Gumla. The rest are from Ormanjhi in Ranchi.

Ghulam Rabbani, the secretary of the state football association, termed the selection as a significant development for women football in the state.

“It is the first time that such a large number of our girls have been selected in the probables. It shows that besides hockey, tribal girls from Jharkhand are now starting to excel in football at the national level. It is a big achievement and we are hopeful that they would make it to the final team too,” said Rabbani.

List of 33 players called up for the camp.

Goalkeepers: Monalisa Devi, Anjali Kumari Munda, Hempriya Seram, Keisham Melody Chanu.

Defenders: Salima Kumari, Sudha Ankita Tirkey, Astam Oraon, Purnima Kumari, Julia Devi Yanglem, Bhumika Bharat Mane, Kajal, Varshika, Kajol Dsouza, Ngashepam Pinku Devi, Hemam Shilky Devi.

Midfielders: Payal, Kalpana, Shailja, Moirangthem Ambika Devi, R Madhumathi, Loktongbam Shelia Devi, Babina Devi, Gladys Zonunsangi, Shubhangi Singh, Nitu Linda.

Forwards: Neha, Lavanya, Anita Kumari, Reshma, Vinothini, Dharshini, Laishram Rejiya Devi, Lynda Kom Serto.