"Football sees a woman's dawn" - Profile of Juhi Shah

Football is my Life, Everything else is just details

Sportskeeda’s Harmit Kamboe interviews 18 year old, referee cum player, Juhi Shah. Here is the full interview.

Harmit: Tell us about yourself, your family and your early childhood please.

Juhi Shah : I am presently studying in H.R. College (S.Y.B.com) and I am also playing football professionally at the same time. About a year back I also Started refereeing in football matches, I Was even nominated by B.R.A(Bombay Referee Association) for AFC under-13 matches. I have recently registered myself for the AIFF ‘D’ License. On the other hand I am very down to earth person, love going for long drives, and sitting at a quiet place and listening to music.

My parents are very supportive. Even my other 4 sibling and twin brother are very co-operative. My 3rd eldest sister is also a passionate football player, she is presently pursuing a sports management degree from University of Michigan.

I was a very active kid in my younger years, and I always competed in everything with my twin brother at home. I have always loved winning ever since my childhood days.

Harmit : How and when did you take to football?

Juhi Shah : Once I have changed schools in the 5th Standard, that’s when I was introduced to football. From that very moment I wanted to play a team game, before that I was an athlete in my previous school.

Harmit : At what point did you get serious about football and received proper coaching?

Juhi Shah

Juhi Shah : At the age of 12 I was called for the Maharashtra Under-19 team selections. I wasn’t selected since I was only 12. After that we went through school to represent India (private) at a tournament, that was the time I came to know that women’s football is really big. Since then I have decided to make football my life. My coach, Sir Marshall John, has always been there through the thick and thin of my life. He has always been by my side and encouraged me to play better.

Harmit : Did you end up playing for any school, or college teams?

Juhi Shah : I started playing for my School team in the 6th standard. Got selected for my 1st Nationals in my 9th standard. In my 10th standard I was elected as the Captain of the Under-17 Maharashtra team. I have even played for my college in various tournaments and I’m continuing to do so.

Harmit : Have you found the school or university representatives supportive when it comes to girls playing football?

Juhi Shah : Not much. My school has been a little supportive, they have organized various tournaments for girls. Whereas for my university, they only had single tournament since I joined. Last year a friend and I, protested against the university. Since the past 10years they had not sent a single team for the inter- zonal university tournament, we convinced them to send a team this time and our university team finished in the top 8 teams out of 36.

Harmit : What position do you play in and have you consistently played at this level?

Juhi Shah : I love playing in left midfield. But I started playing football as a defender. I haveconsistently been playing in the nationals in all positions except as a goalkeeper.

Harmit : What led you to qualify as a referee? What exams or courses did you have to take?

Juhi Shah : While playing in a university match the referee, who also happens to be my friend, asked me to join her in refereeing. So I said why not and at that point I realized for a player like me, breaking into the international team was very difficult. With all the politics I saw at the nationals in Chandigarh, I knew it would be very difficult for me to ever represent India as a football player.

For becoming a qualified referee, I gave a written exam in November and scored 80 out of 100 (80 is the cut off). Then I went for the fitness exam and afterwards gave an oral exam in which I excelled. I am presently at level 3 and in January I will be writing an exam to qualify for level 2.

Harmit : What kind of matches have you refereed and how do you think you are treated by the officials and players?

Juhi Shah : I have referred in school matches featuring both boys and girls. Sometimes when I enter the field I hear the boys telling each other, ‘hey look that’s a lady referee out there.’ but I wouldn’t mind it as much. Even while playing football I have heard such comments in the past. As a player if you are good, people will know you better than the others. At present people know me not only as a player but also as a referee.

Harmit : What career goals did you have set for yourself in the next couple of years?

Juhi Shah : I have registered for AIFF ‘D’ License. Once I am done with that I will start taking up coaching for girls at High school level. I had previously got an offer but I told them once I am done with my national and university tournaments I would be available. I am also planning to take up Sports Management to further my studies.

Harmit : Are your parents supportive of your footballing ambitions?

Juhi Shah : My parents are very supportive. My mother has come for all my School Nationals to watch me play. We even went to Mizoram for my Nationals.

Sportskeeda wishes you all the best for the future.

Edited by Leelaprasad