State’s youngest coach to train junior football team

Vadodara: She is just 26 but Tarannum Sheikh, a football player, is all set to create history by becoming the youngest woman with the professional C license to coach a girls’ team.
The Baroda District Football Association (BDFA) has decided to appoint Tarannum Sheikh as the coach of their junior women’s team. Sheikh will be the city’s first female footballer to coach a woman’s team.

“This is a big opportunity and I will try to give my best. When I began my career as a footballer, I never knew I would play nationals and become coach of the women’s team. BDFA has been kindto give me such opportunity,” Sheikh told TOI. “Being a player , I have a better understanding of the sport and also know the team well,” she added.

She recently appeared for the exams organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and got the C license for coaching. C license makes her eligible for coaching even the senior teams.

Hanif Ginwala, BDFA president, said, “She is the youngest woman footballer to get C license in the state and the first in the city. BDFA has decided to make her full-time coach for our junior girls’ team. If she performs well, she may even get to coach the senior women’s squad in future,” said

“I began playing football about four years ago and immediately took to the sport. Having begun my sporting career as an athlete, I was always quick in the field. Playing football that requires stamina and agility came naturally to me. I began my career with Baroda Football Academy where I learnt all the football skills,” Sheikh, who is BE in computer science and engineering, said. Sheikh has already two played in two national football tournaments.

Her father Anwar Sheikh said a minor spinal injury didn’t stop her from following the rigorous fitness schedules and tests. “When she was young, not one boy or girl was able to catch hold of her in the race. We ensured that she follows her passion.”

Sheikh has bagged 115 medals in sports

Tarannum Sheikh is one of the rare sportspersons who mastered every sport she played. Sheikh began her sporting career with athletics and won medal in long jump, high jump and running. She also played basketball before moving to football. Sheikh has won a total 115 medals from these sports in her career.