An emotional conversation with Pooja Gupta | Join us as Pooja bares her soul, one pivotal step at a time.
Born: 03 September 2005 | Hometown: Pune
India Women’s Futsal International | Aspire FC
In the dusty playgrounds of a modest Pune neighborhood, where dreams whisper amid the chaos of everyday life, a young girl once stood—small, uncertain, kicking a ball that felt heavier than her hopes. Pooja Gupta, born under the quiet stars of September 2005, didn’t chase glory from silver spoons or spotlighted fields. No, her fire ignited in the unyielding grind of a government school, fueled by teachers who saw what she couldn’t yet: a warrior destined for India’s jersey. From self-doubt’s shadows to the roar of international silver, this is her heartbeat—a triumph that belonging isn’t given, it’s forged. Join us as Pooja bares her soul, one pivotal step at a time.
Q: Pooja, when you look back, where does this journey begin?
“In a small, humble house in Pune. Nothing fancy. Just a family that did everything it could for me.”
Pooja Gupta was born on 03/09/2005, raised in modest surroundings, studying at Madhavrao Sonba Tupe School. There was no football culture at home, no sporting legacy to fall back on. Just a government school, playground dust, and a girl who didn’t yet know how far she would go.
Q: How did football first enter your life?
“2016. That year changed everything.”
A teacher named Jishnu Sarkar from TFI began training the school under a government football scheme. For the first time, football wasn’t something seen on television—it was something she could touch.
But the spark didn’t immediately turn into fire.
“I lost interest in between. I didn’t see a future. It felt like just another activity.”
Many would’ve stopped there. Most do.
Q: What pulled you back?
“Intensity. And belief.”
Two years later, at the SVT I-Teach, the team began training under Coach Ryan Roy Shah. Training changed. So did Pooja.
Weight training. Agility. Fitness. Ball work.
“For the first time, I saw growth in myself. I got impressed by the way he trained us… and slowly, I started dreaming.”
Dreaming—not of medals yet—but of belonging on the pitch.
Q: You played with boys during this phase. How did that shape you?
“Coach Ryan pushed me into tournament exposure every weekend. I played with boys. It was tough. But it made me fearless.”
Around this time, a quiet dream was forming—shared by Coach Ryan, Pooja, and Sapna.
“We dreamt of starting a girls’ team.”
That dream came alive as Pune Pioneers FC.
They travelled. They played girls’ tournaments. They went to Mumbai for exposure.
“We did well. We felt seen.”
Q: When did professional football enter the picture?
“When I played the Maharashtra Women’s League with Snigmay FC.”
That was her first real step into professional football—learning tempo, physicality, pressure.
Then came Karnataka Women’s League.
“I played two seasons—Bengaluru Braves and Parikrama FC. That experience taught me maturity.”
In 2022, she represented Maharashtra at the U-17 Nationals.
Still, the biggest turn was yet to come.
Q: Aspire FC seems like a turning point. How did that happen?
“My random visit to an Aspire FC training session.”
But that day wasn’t random.
It was the moment she stopped searching for belonging — and started earning it.
At Aspire FC, the intensity was higher. The standards were tougher. In the 2023–24 Maharashtra Women’s League, she broke into a deep, competitive squad.
“Initially, I had self-doubt. I kept asking — do I really belong here?”
Aspire finished third, narrowly missing IWL-2 qualification.
“That hurt. But it built hunger.”
At Aspire, she found structure, accountability, and quiet belief — the kind that doesn’t promise success, but demands growth.
Slowly, doubt turned into confidence.
And the jersey she once questioned began to feel earned.
Q: How did futsal enter your life?
“Through small-sided games.”
Under Coach Ranjeet Joshi, Aspire FC played multiple small-sided tournaments across Pune, Mumbai, and Goa during the 2024–25 season.
“At that time, I didn’t know this would change my life.”
Then came the call.
Indian Women’s Futsal Camp – 2024.
“Futsal was completely new to me.”
But those endless small-sided games mattered.
“Coach Ranjeet’s futsal-specific training helped us understand rules and movement quickly.”
Q: What did it feel like being named in India’s squad for the AFC Asian Futsal Championship?
Her eyes light up—even now.
“When I saw my name in the final 14… it was unreal.”
The AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Championship 2024-25 in Indonesia became her first international stage.
India faced Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Kyrgyz Republic.
India lost all three matches.
“But that experience was for a lifetime.”
“There was a stark difference. We lacked experience. Our camp was only 1.5 months. None of us were proper futsal players.”
Still—
“It was an eye-opener. We returned with learnings aplenty.”
Q: What happened after returning home?
“After a few happy days, my family started asking—what next?”
Futsal for women in India was—and still is—new.
“There were no tournaments. I had no answer. The uncertainty was scary.”
Q: And then came the SAFF Championship…
“I felt immense pressure.”
She didn’t want to be judged.
Didn’t want to be called a one-time wonder.
“I wanted to prove that I deserve to be here.”
The SAFF Women’s Futsal Camp was tougher.
“Many states had completed futsal leagues. The competition was intense.”
When the final 14 were announced—
“I was elated. I had worked really hard.”
Q: Tell us about the message before your first SAFF match.
“Ranjeet sir sent a message.”
Not a long one.
Not dramatic.
‘Just play your game. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You are representing the nation—nothing bigger than that.’
“That changed everything.”
Confidence replaced fear.
India played 6 matches.
Won 4.
Lost 2.
Silver Medal | India’s first international medal in futsal.
Q: How did life change after that?
“This return felt different.”
At Delhi airport, she signed her first autograph.
“That moment felt unreal.”
Back in Pune—
“Our Aspire family was there to receive us. That meant the world. We felt valued.”
It wasn’t just a welcome home.
It was a reminder that this achievement belonged to everyone who believed long before the applause began.
Q: What do you want going forward?
“I want to continue playing for India and contributing to the nation.”
Then comes the dedication.
“I want to thank Ranjeet sir from the bottom of my heart. I dedicate my entire futsal journey to him.”
“Many people were by my side—but he believed in me when it mattered. He envisioned us wearing the Indian jersey.”
A Message to Every Young Girl Reading This
Pooja Gupta didn’t come from privilege.
She didn’t have guarantees.
She had doubts, pauses, restarts—and fear.
But she had coaches who believed,
environments that supported,
and the courage to keep going.
From a school ground in Pune to India’s jersey,
this is not just her story.
It’s proof.
Dreams grow where belief is trained.
And girls belong—everywhere football is played. ⚽
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