Survive 2 days on Rs 125: Indian women footballers speak out on travel ordeal
Indian women footballers have alleged to be given just Rs 125 for a two-day train journey, with no official accompanying them and some players travelling without confirmed tickets.
Young Indian women footballers have alleged being forced to endure harsh travel conditions after being given just Rs 125 each for a two-day train journey, with no club official accompanying them and some players reportedly travelling without confirmed tickets.
The allegations were made by players from Kolkata-based Suruchi Sangha, who recently competed in the Indian Women’s League 2 (IWL 2), the second tier of women’s club football in India.
In a video shared on X, the players described what they called a distressing journey home, claiming they had been left without adequate food, water or support while travelling.
“Till now, we haven’t received anything to eat, and now the manager has called and said we have to survive for two days with Rs 125. How are we supposed to survive? We can’t get food with that, not even basic things. Even a packet of biscuits costs around Rs 20, and we don’t even have water,” one player said in the video.
The players claimed the amount was communicated to them by the team manager as the total allowance sanctioned for the trip. However, they said they were unsure whether the decision had come directly from the club’s ownership.
Players raise safety concerns
Apart from the financial concerns, the players also alleged that no club official was accompanying them during the journey, raising questions over safety and welfare.
“There’s nobody with us, just the players who have been sent here. Not even a single official is with us. If only Rs 125 was going to be given, then someone should have travelled with us, because then they would know what we are getting and what we are not,” a player said.
The players also claimed that four members of the group were travelling without confirmed train tickets and had to adjust with other passengers during the trip.
“Today, if this video goes viral, people will see what’s happening. We boarded last night, and even among us, tickets for four people are still not confirmed. On top of that, such a small amount has been given for food. How are so many of us supposed to manage?” another player said.
The video appears to have been recorded in the hope of drawing attention to the situation and prompting action over the team’s travel arrangements.
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Suruchi Sangha’s IWL 2 campaign
Suruchi Sangha had qualified for the final round of the Indian Women’s League 2 after finishing second in Group C with two wins and one defeat.
The club, based in Alipore, Kolkata, was unable to carry that momentum into the final phase, finishing bottom of the standings without registering a single victory. HOPS Football Club and Juba Sangha FC secured promotion to the Indian Women’s League, the top tier of women’s club football in India.
Forward Roshni Tigga finished as Suruchi Sangha’s leading scorer in the competition with seven goals.
The allegations from the players have cast an uncomfortable spotlight on the conditions faced by women footballers competing in India’s domestic structure.