Raipur, Apr 2 (PTI) A striker when she started out before moulding herself into a full-back for the national team, Kiran Pisda transformed into a goalkeeper for her home state Chattisgarh in the semifinals of the ongoing Khelo India Tribal Games here.

Chhattisgarh defeated Arunachal Pradesh 3-2 to book their final spot against West Bengal on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Kiran, who has 11 India caps, has already played league football in Europe in the Croatian league. Her brother Girish, himself a national level player, is her inspiration.

Kiran moved to Raipur to pursue a physical education degree and it was during the Chhattisgarh Women’s League that she caught the attention of scouts and earned a call-up to a national camp.

“At that time, I was not physically fit enough and my mind-set was not at the level required to compete with senior players,” Kiran told SAI media while explaining why that stint in the national camp did not result in selection for the team.

She worked on her physical fitness, began analysing matches closely, and improved her positional awareness. But the most significant change came in Kiran’s mental approach.

“I told myself that no matter what happens, I will not think negatively. If you become negative, it directly affects your performance,” she said.

Her hard work gradually paid off. Performances at the domestic level opened doors to clubs like Kerala Blasters, where she continued to evolve. One of her biggest strengths became her versatility.

“I started as a striker, then played in midfield, and now I play as a full-back for the national team. As a footballer, you should be ready to play in multiple positions for your team,” she said.

Kiran has gone on to represent India multiple times, including the SAFF Championship squad in 2022. She has also played for Croatian Women’s League for Dinamo Zagreb.

But she missed out on selection for major tournaments like the recently concluded AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.

“It hurts when you don’t get selected for big tournaments. Every player feels it,” she said.

Coming from a tribal background, Kiran is deeply aware of the challenges faced by players from remote regions. She believes platforms like the Khelo India Tribal Games are playing a crucial role in bridging that gap.

“There is so much talent in tribal areas, but players don’t always get opportunities. The Khelo India Tribal Games has given them a platform to showcase their talent. It gives them confidence and motivation to dream of playing for the state and even for India,” Kiran said.

Her immediate focus is on consistent performances in domestic competitions like the Indian Women’s League and earning regular national call-ups. PTI PM PM AH