Panaji: India U-20 defender Ruchi started training on a trash-dumping ground which the girls cleaned to make a football field at Sangam Vihar, recognised as one of Delhi’s largest unauthorised colonies. Now, she’s joined a growing list of women footballers who are chasing their dreams abroad. If Ngangom Bala Devi showed the way when she signed an 18-month deal with Scottish club Rangers FC in 2020, the list has simply grown since then. There’s Manisha Kalyan, the best of them all at AEK Athens, while Jyoti Chauhan (Bnot Netanya, Israel) and Aveka Singh (Naestved HG, Denmark) are also based in Europe. “I am a little nervous because it is for the first time that I will be based abroad, living alone, but I am sure everything will be fine,” Ruchi told TOI after moving to Nashama Al-Mustaqbal, a top tier club in Jordan. “Lot of people have supported me and made this possible. I am excited to play in Jordan. Of course, there will be competition (for places), it will be challenging, but I am ready.” Hailing from a largish, marginalised family from Sangam Vihar, a colony in south Delhi with a population of over one million people living in a five square kilometre area, Ruchi’s progress has been spectacular. She first trained at the Khel Khel Mein Foundation, a Delhi-based non-profit organisation that uses structured sports to support holistic development for children from low-income communities. “As part of that batch, many played in IWL (Indian Women’s League) and IWL 2, but Ruchi was the brightest,” said her mentor Arka Bhattacharya. Ruchi first grabbed attention when she donned colours for Garhwal FC in IWL 2, but it was her move to Sethu FC in the top tier of Indian football in 2024 that she got a chance to prove her mettle. Selection to the India U-20 team was natural progression, but she took many by surprise with a bold move to Jordan. “For the last four years, I wanted to move abroad. A move to a foreign country will surely make me a better footballer. During the AFC U-20 Asian Cup, we played against Japan and Australia (in the group stage) and we could see that the players are at a very high level. Their playing style, the way they move the ball, off-the-ball movements were really good. I have so much to learn,” said Ruchi. Ruchi has a contract with the Jordanian club till end of season. On her debut in the Jordan Cup on Tuesday night, she hardly put a foot wrong. “I want to eventually play for top clubs,” said Ruchi. “My family is excited with my move. Initially, they were all nervous, wondering how I will adjust to life in Jordan, staying alone. But they are all proud of me.” From Sangam Vihar to Jordan, Ruchi has come a long way.
