In
this
candid
chat
with
AIFF,
Aditi
opens
up
about
her
achievement,
her
journey,
the
current
mindset
in
the
team,
her
struggles
along
the
way,
and
much
more.
EXCERPTS:
50
International
matches:
Did
you
ever
think
you’d
get
this
far?
You
never
really
think
of
such
things.
Of
course,
as
a
young
girl,
I’ve
always
dreamt
of
wearing
the
India
jersey.
Putting
on
the
India
jersey
has
been
special
every
time.
But
doing
it
consistently
for
years
is
a
privilege
for
which
I
feel
very
fortunate.
The
mood
in
the
camp?
There’s
belief
amongst
all.
All
the
girls
are
mentally
very
strong.
What
has
been
your
learning
all
these
years?
There
have
been
a
lot
of
ups
and
downs,
smiles
and
tears
in
all
these
years.
But
what
I’ve
learnt
is
that
there
is
absolutely
no
substitute
for
hard
work.
I’ve
tried
to
take
all
the
criticism
in
my
stride
and
I’m
grateful
for
every
bit
of
success
that
has
come
my
way.
How
did
your
parents
react,
when
you
initially
started
playing
football
as
a
kid?
My
parents
were
initially
concerned
about
me
playing
football.
There
was
nobody
(girls)
around
me
who
I
knew
was
playing
football,
or
made
it
their
profession.
We
didn’t
know
what
the
future
was
like.
Obviously,
my
parents
were
concerned
about
the
physical
safety
in
a
contact
sport.
It
is
also
quite
physically
and
mentally
demanding.
There’s
also
the
other
perspective
of
facing
society
as
a
girl
playing
sports.
I
guess
I
also
understand
why
they
were
also
a
little
apprehensive
initially
when
I
told
them
that
I
like
to
play
football.
How
did
you
eventually
convince
them?
It
wasn’t
my
convincing
them
with
words,
but
I
guess
when
they
discovered
my
passion,
and
love
for
the
game
which
I
had
–
it
convinced
them.
I
guess
one
of
the
main
turning
points
was
when
I
got
my
first
India
call-up
—
that
made
them
really
proud.
My
dad
is
in
the
CRPF,
he’s
worked
all
his
life
for
the
nation.
So
when
I
got
that
India
badge,
that
really
changed
his
perception.
Talk
us
through
the
sacrifices
over
the
years.
As
professional
footballers,
there
are
a
lot
of
sacrifices
that
we
have
to
make.
Being
away
from
your
family,
having
to
constantly
monitor
your
own
body,
and
looking
after
yourself
is
really
hard.
I
think
being
away
from
your
family
and
loved
ones,
not
being
able
to
do
the
regular
things
in
life,
takes
a
lot
from
you.
But
wearing
the
India
jersey,
being
able
to
represent
a
country
of
1.4
billion
makes
it
all
worthwhile.
This
is
what
has
kept
us
motivated,
and
kept
us
going
all
this
while.
I
feel
grateful
for
every
opportunity
that
I
get
to
play
for
my
country,
and
I
don’t
take
that
granted.
Source:
AIFF
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