Our Bureau
Mumbai
Harshika Jain, a few days ago made history as she became the first Indian Football player ever to sign with a Romanian first division club – Atletic Olimpia Gherla. Before Harshika, no other Indian footballer had ever been selected to the top two leagues in Romania.
The young 22 year old footballer is following the footsteps of former players like Bala Devi, Manisha Kalyan and Aditi Chauhan who all played at the European sectors before her. Her journey to these unfathomable heights is not just a mere feat but a prize of continuous grit and determination shown by the athlete to achieve her dreams.
The move to the Romanian club came after she impressed legendary coach Mirel Albon, the man behind Romania’s rise in women’s football in trial sessions. After analysing her in the 20 day trial, the club offered her a contract. Despite getting such a big contract when asked about her dream, Harshika replied that she wishes to one day wear an Indian jersey and represent her country in front of the world.
Harshika was always a sporty kid and she tried her hand in various different sports like Basketball, Handball and Hockey. Even though she wasn’t really bad in any of them she found herself drawn to Football and at the age of 11 she decided Football was going to be her calling. From there it was no looking back as she immersed herself into the sport.
Born in a business family situated in Mumbai’s plush Altamount Road, Jain didn’t have a historic sports background but what she had was sheer willpower and hunger. Battling through all the hardships she persisted and gave it all with late night training sessions, lockdown drills and sheer hard work.
