ANI
15 Jan 2022, 14:48 GMT+10
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 15 (ANI): Shilky Devi, a 16-year-old member of the Indian women's football team, who apart from wearing the captain's armband in junior international matches, is also set to lead the charts in one particular category in the upcoming AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 - the youngest player of the tournament.
At the age of 16 years and 2 months, Hemam Shilky Devi, will be the youngest player in the 2022 edition of the continental tournament, with Indonesia's Helsya Maeisyaroh coming the second closest -- at 16 years and 8 months.
However, being a youngster in the squad, Shilky, who has already made her senior debut against Brazil last year, is picking up valuable experience from the rest of the players in the team.
The 16-year-old defender will be among 15 players in the Indian squad under Head Coach Thomas Dennerby, who are under the age of 25 at the AFC Asian Cup, bringing the average age of the squad to 23.13.
"It's a very good learning experience for me and the others who have joined with me from the U-19 squad," said Shilky in an official AIFF release.
"To make the jump to the senior level, you have to work harder, not just on the pitch, but off it as well. We see the seniors maintaining so much discipline just to get that extra yard on the pitch, and that really rubs off on us. Every day is a learning experience for me here," she added.
Other than Shilky, the Blue Tigresses have three other players from the U-19 National Team - Priyangka Devi, Sumati Kumari, and Mariyammal Balamurugan. However, the 16-year-old defender is the only one who is also eligible to play in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, later this year.
Always one who is looking two steps ahead, Shilky believes that her experience in the senior team will further help her and her teammates in the U-17 World Cup later on.
"I am playing with so many senior players here and this will definitely help me going into the U-17 World Cup," said an elated Shilky. "I hope to pass on this knowledge and experiences to my teammates at the U-17 level and we can only learn from this. This experience will definitely help me going forward."Born in the small village of Moirang in Manipur, Shilky Devi started playing at an early age and has come through the SAI Academy in Imphal. Much like many other female footballers in the country, Shilky has also had to persevere against perceptions that football is not a game for women.
"Many had told me that I should concentrate on studies instead of football, early on, including my mother. But my father always supported me. He loves to watch me play football," said Shilky.
Shilky and her teammates are set to begin their AFC Women's Asian Cup campaign on January 20 against IR Iran. Following the first game, the Blue Tigresses will face off against Chinese Taipei (January 23) and China PR (January 26; all of India's Group A matches kick-off at the same time. (ANI)Get a daily dose of Asia Pacific Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Asia Pacific Star.
More InformationDHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, celebrated by thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala,...
HONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...
Chinese FM calls for joint efforts in finding right way for China, U.S. to get along China and the United States should work together...
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): In a remarkable decision taken at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India's official...
How the Wests recklessness is testing Moscows nuclear patience A multipolar world is, by its nature, a nuclear one. Its conflicts...
The Hague [Netherlands], July 11 (ANI): Italy made history after securing qualification for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup in India and...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal rule designed to make it easier for Americans to cancel subscriptions has been blocked by a U.S. appeals...
BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...