"The coaches really encouraged me."
Northern Ireland’s first football team comprising South Asian women is getting ready to compete in its first tournament.
Belfast Asian Women’s Academy (BAWA) has been offering football training sessions every week leading up to the Ethnic Minority Sports Organisation’s Confederation Cup.
BAWA promotes South Asian culture and heritage in Northern Ireland.
Many team members have not played football before and are taking up the sport as beginners.
Namratha Dasu, who moved to Belfast from India, is one player who is new to the sport.
She said: “Most of the people who are training are playing for the first time, including me.
“It’s a great opportunity for our community.
“We just started practising two weeks ago. I think it’s a great initiative for South Asian women to get together.
“I’d love to play more football, I’ve even got my own shoes and football to practice at home with – I love it.”
The players train at Shaftesbury Recreational Centre but not all of the team are new to sports.
Deepika Sadagopan is a BAWA member and also plays Camogie for a team in Ardoyne.
She told BBC: “I grew up around sports and I played all different types of sports in India – including running track.
“I didn’t really bring my sport to Belfast when I moved in 2017 but shortly after joining BAWA I was offered the chance to play camogie in Ardoyne and have been playing ever since.
“The coaches really encouraged me.
“It’s been an amazing way of adopting a new culture and has helped me blend into the community.
“I found it hard to move so I am grateful for groups like this.”
The tournament falls within South Asian Heritage Month, which is taking place across the UK until August 17.
Manager Ana Chandran moved to Belfast from Malaysia and is the director of BAWA.
She said: “There’s little to no representation of South Asian women in football and there’s no point complaining about this if we are not there and ready to play.
“When I asked for interest in football sessions, so many women came forward so I just thought – let’s do this.
“We have women from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and India as part of the group.”
“It’s an opportunity they wouldn’t get at home for some of these women as they have rights and freedom here in Northern Ireland.
“I wanted the women to be able to network and make friends so we will go along to the tournament and see how we do.”
BAWA will be in the tournament’s first women’s seven-a-side cup, which is taking place at the Ulidia Playing Fields on August 3, 2024.
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