Parents have always been supportive: Martina recalls her initial days

Ahead of the Under 17 Women's Football Tournament 2019, midfielder Martina Thokchom revealed that it was her parents who had encouraged her to play football during initial days."I used to play football in our house with my father from the time I was a kid. He was a football player himself, and I developed a passion for the game very early," AIFF quoted Martina as saying."Seeing my interest, my mother enrolled me into a local grassroots programme when I was 10 or 11. I just continued playing. My parents have always been really supportive and have encouraged me to play," she added.Martina was earlier trained by current Indian Senior Women's National Team Assistant Coach Chaoba Devi"I learned a lot training under Chaoba ma'am. The senior players keep talking to me and encourage me to give my best. It is a wonderful feeling to be appreciated by them," said Martina."Seeing them win titles for India inspires me. I want to do the same and make my nation and family proud," she added.India ...