Tribal turf to global dream, Pisda keeps her goal in sight

Raipur: Kiran Pisda relied on her years of grit when she donned goalkeeping gloves during a high-stakes penalty shootout against Arunachal Pradesh in the Khelo India Tribal Games semi-finals. For the 24-year-old, the moment represented a career built on overcoming setbacks and constant evolution. Hailing from a rural village in Balod district of Chhattisgarh, Pisda has already competed in the Croatian Women's League for Dinamo Zagreb and now focuses on securing a permanent spot in the Indian national squad for upcoming international tournaments.While she received early support from her school and family, including her brother Girish Pisda, a national-level player himself, her path was not without hurdles. After moving to Raipur to pursue a degree in physical education, her performance in the Chhattisgarh Women's League earned her a national camp call-up. However, she missed out on selection for the final squad at that time."I realised I was not physically fit enough then, and my mental preparation to compete with senior players was lacking," Pisda said. She noted that the experience served as a catalyst for a rigorous phase of self-improvement.She credits her mentor and coach, Yogesh Kumar Jangde, for helping her maintain a positive mindset."I started as a striker, moved to midfield, and now play as a full-back for the national team. A footballer must be ready to adapt to any position the team requires," she said.Despite having represented India in the 2022 SAFF Championship, Pisda recently faced another challenge after missing selection for the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia. She views such setbacks as motivation rather than defeat.Currently, Pisda is focused on maintaining consistency in domestic competitions, including the Indian Women's League (IWL). Her long-term goal remains a regular place in the national team for major global championships.