Bringing about social change through football - The story of coach Vinod Loyal

The football story of the trainees of the Vinod Football Club, Chuli Bagrian, started with playing on a cemetery due to a limitation of a playground, and now these girls are leaving their footprints on the international stage, all thanks to Coach Vinod Loyal.

Vinod, aged 41, makes his living through farming but is driven by his passion for football. He is ready to go the extra mile, pitching in funds from his own pockets, and over the years, he has become a savior for the girls, the majority of whom come from humble backgrounds.

Over the years, 15 of his trainees have made it to the Indian women’s football squad in various age groups, and the count is still ongoing.

"It was almost a one-sided loss for my native village Chuli Bagrian’s boys' football team in a local tournament that pushed me into a coaching profession," said Vinod, who was then a student in Class 11 when he started coaching.

It was not only Vinod's village Chuli Bagrian that benefited, but also the village of Sadalpur, which is 13 kilometers away, has benefitted from his passion for coaching.

“I was hoping for a career in football and wanted to pursue a coaching diploma from NIS, Patiala, but my early marriage forced me to change my priorities, and I got stuck with family affairs. I was 17, and my wife was just 14 when we got married. I know how dreams can get crushed once you enter wedlock at an early age," said Vinod, who provides free coaching and, through his personal resources and connections, tries to provide equipment to the girls and meet the requirement for footballs at the center. "Early marriage is still prevalent in our area, but thanks to football, the parents of my trainees are not considering marriage over their sports careers."