From tribal roots to national colours: Chhattisgarh star footballer Kiran Pisda’s story of grit and growth

When Kiran Pisda took up the goalkeeping gloves for the penalty shootout against Arunachal Pradesh in the semifinals of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG), she was relying on all experience she had gathered dealing with challenges and disappointments that only led to making her more resilient.

At 24, Kiran is probably at the peak of her skills and abilities and has already played league football in Europe and is knocking on the Indian team doors for major international events.

But this journey was far smooth despite the early support she got from her school and family with her brother Girish, himself a national level player, being her inspiration. “I got a lot of support in school. That’s where I got opportunities to play at the state and national level, and with every selection, my confidence kept growing,” Kiran told SAI Media.

Kiran then 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 admits while explaining why that stint with in the national camp did not result in selection for India. “I realised that whatever experience I gained there, I had to work on it.”

What followed was a phase of intense self-improvement - physical fitness, analysing matches closely, and also 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 explains.

Yogesh Kumar's role in Kiran Pisda’s career

A crucial pillar in this transformation was her mentor, coach Yogesh Kumar Jangra. “Whenever I feel low or think that I am not performing well, I speak to him. He always tells me to stay positive and keeps motivating me,” she says. 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 says.

Kiran has gone on to represent India multiple times, including being part of the SAFF Championship squad in 2022 and also played for Croatian Women's League for Dinamo Zagreb. Yet, even at this stage, rejection has remained part of the journey. But missing out on selections for major tournaments like the recently concluded AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia tested her again.

“It hurts when you don’t get selected for big tournaments. Every player feels it,” she says. “But now I look at it differently. I take it as motivation to work harder and come back stronger.”

Handling pressure has become one of her defining qualities. Whether it is competing for a spot in the team or delivering in crucial matches, she has learned to stay composed.

“When you play at a higher level, pressure is always there. You have to learn how to handle it,” she says. Kiran Pisda also highlights the role of team performance in shaping individual confidence. “If the team is doing well, every player feels confident. But when the team is losing, individual performance also gets affected.”

Kiran Pisda credits KITG platform

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 added.

As for Kiran, her immediate focus remains on consistent performances in domestic competitions like the Indian Women’s League and earning regular national call-ups, but her vision extends further.

“I want to keep improving, perform consistently, and represent India in big tournaments,” Kiran says. “If you don’t get selected, it doesn’t mean you are not a good player. It just means you have to work harder.”