MSSA inter-school football tournament: Anwitaa’s high five helps Podar progress

Podar International’s Anwitaa Thakar at the Wings Sports Centre, Bandra on Monday. Pic/Nimesh Dave

Anwitaa Thakar netted as many as five goals as Podar International (IB) stormed into the girls U-16 Div-II quarter-finals of the Dream Sports-Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) inter-school football tournament with a thumping 8-0 win over RN Shah International at the Wings Sports Centre, Bandra, on Monday.

Anwitaa almost single-handedly dismantled the opposition defence with her speed and precision, scoring in the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 13th and 16th minute. Her teammates Aishwarya Rautela, Akshara Madhusudan and Naina Bhatia added a goal each to complete the rout.

Interestingly, Anwitaa, 13, is a teenager with multiple talents. She's a promising fencer and won a bronze medal in the U-14 category at a competition in Cuttack earlier this year. She is also a chess player and holds a FIDE ranking of 1505.

Having done well previously in individual sports (fencing and chess), Anwitaa was a bit nervous ahead of this tournament. "I was nervous because I have never been part of a team competition previously. But it has been a great experience with all my teammates rallying around for support," she said.

Coach Hyginus D'Souza was all praise for his girls: "I've been building this team for the last three years. This team has been fielded for the first time so it's great to see them progress to the quarter-finals. Anwitaa is a key player. She excels in sports as well as academics."