Typically, you may observe football players on the pitch wearing uniforms. But these Gwalior women went one step further. When a video of ladies playing football in sarees went viral, Gwalior women defied prejudices and the internet as a whole.
In the trending videos, saree-clad women play football while demonstrating their prowess. The ‘Goal In Saree’ event was held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Women may be seen applauding the players from the stands while Kishore Kanyal, the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Gwalior, provides commentary.
The oldest player, Daljit Singh Mann, was 72 years old, and the other women on the team ranged in age from 20 to 72. Eight distinct teams were formed by the Gwalior ladies. These women were taking part in a competitive sport for the first time. With the intention of encouraging saree-wearing women to adopt a fitness lifestyle, the event was planned for the current Chaitra Navratri festival.
Over 96 women from a variety of backgrounds, including homemakers, teachers in high school and college, and small business owners, made up the players. After only three days of practise, the women entered the event on Saturday and Sunday to try their luck at football.
On Sunday, the Orange (or Tulip) squad took home the championship by a lone goal. The Red or Sherni team was their opponent. Each of the eight teams received a gift, and the top three teams received trophies.
The movie Bend It Like Beckham, which tells the tale of a young girl who wants to play football despite her family’s opposition, has been linked to the music video. Although the video and the movie’s premise both question conventional gender norms, there are some alleged distinctions between the two.