In an unprecedented event recently held at the scenic Juhu beach, Joga Bonito emerged as champions in Mumbai’s inaugural Beach Soccer tournament for women. Organized by PCPL-UK United in partnership with the GoEqual Premier League, this tournament marked a significant milestone for women’s beach soccer in the region, inspiring future promotions of the sport across Mumbai’s coastline.
The tournament witnessed fierce competition as ten teams vied for the coveted title. Guided by the strategic expertise of Mumbai Football Association (MFA) secretary Sudhakar Rane, the event was brought into fruition with the dedicated efforts of Maharashtra’s beach football team manager Ronald D’Souza and coach Preetam Mahadik. The enthusiasm and high spirited nature of the event set the stage for an exciting final showdown between Joga Bonito and Uncle’s Kitchen United.
The championship clash was a highlight, reflecting the high skill level and competitiveness of the teams. After a goalless draw in regulation time, the match proceeded to a dramatic penalty shootout. Joga Bonito secured their victory 3-2 in the shootout, thanks to the composed efforts of Namrata Thakur, Rakhee Sawant, and VK Shrutilakshmi, who successfully converted their penalty shots. In contrast, Uncle’s Kitchen United managed to score only through Delfiya Pereira and Krishita Iyer.
Individual accolades also highlighted the tournament’s competitive nature. Sapna Jaiswar from Joga Bonito was named the best player of the tournament, acknowledging her exceptional performance throughout the event. The recognition for the best goalkeeper went to Meenakshi Bhagat from Uncle’s Kitchen United, highlighting her crucial role in her team’s journey to the final.
The victorious Joga Bonito team was awarded a cash prize of Rs 25,000, while Uncle’s Kitchen United pocketed Rs 15,000 for their commendable runner-up position. The success of such a well-organized and fiercely contested tournament has motivated the Mumbai Football Association to commit to the further promotion of women’s beach soccer.
MFA secretary Sudhakar Rane expressed his pride in Maharashtra’s leadership in women’s player registrations across India under the All India Football Federation (AIFF). He emphasized the need to replicate the success of the boys’ teams, who recently became runners-up at the Beach Festival organized by Daman and Diu and AIFF, in the women’s division.
“Maharashtra is proud to lead in women’s player registrations across India under AIFF.
. Our boys showed great potential by becoming runners-up at the Beach Festival organized by Daman and Diu and AIFF. Now, our focus shifts to empowering our girls to achieve similar heights. We want to promote beach soccer tournaments for girls, aiming to elevate their performance and inspire greater participation in this exciting sport,” Rane told mid-day.com.
State team manager Ronald D’Souza reinforced this commitment by assuring more future tournaments. “The MFA has communicated to us that they are very keen to spread beach football across the state, and this tournament is a step in that direction. To promote beach football and futsal, we plan to organize more such events across Mumbai’s beaches and even throughout Maharashtra’s coastline to unearth new talent,” said D’Souza.
The enthusiasm generated by this inaugural tournament at Juhu beach has set a solid foundation for future developments in women’s beach soccer. The success of Joga Bonito and their spirited journey to the title have captured the public’s imagination, reinforcing the importance of such initiatives in promoting sports among women.
As Joga Bonito players celebrated their well-deserved victory, it became clear that the tournament had achieved much more than just crowning a champion. It had sparked a renewed interest in beach soccer, setting a precedent for more inclusive and frequent tournaments that could bring new aspirations and opportunities for female athletes in Mumbai and beyond.
With MFA’s active involvement, the promotion and growth of beach soccer for women in Mumbai seem promising. The proactive steps taken by the MFA and organizers like PCPL-UK United and the GoEqual Premier League indicate a bright future for the sport. The next phase involves extending these initiatives to various beaches across Mumbai and the entire Maharashtra coastline, ensuring that beach soccer gains the widespread recognition and participation it deserves.
In conclusion, the recent success at Juhu beach heralds a new era of excitement, competition, and growth for women’s beach soccer in Mumbai. It is hoped that such initiatives will not only uplift the sport but also provide a robust platform for aspiring female footballers to showcase their talent and passion on a larger scale.
