Harshika Jain: Pioneering Path to European Football Glory

Harshika Jain, the promising 22-year-old football talent from Mumbai, has made history by joining the Romanian first-division club CS Atletic Olimpia Gherla. She is the first Indian woman to play in Romania's top league, setting her sights on gaining international experience to fuel her ultimate dream: playing for India.

Harshika, who previously played for Gokulam Kerala in the Indian Women's League, is dedicated to honing her skills in Europe. In an exclusive interview with PTI, she expressed her ambition to proudly wear the Indian team's jersey. Further ambitions include winning the league championship and aspiring to play for a bigger European club or elsewhere.

Coach Varin Mehta, who has mentored Harshika for six years, tailored her training regime to meet the high-speed demands of European football. Mehta, previously affiliated with Belgium's Royal Antwerp FC, emphasized the importance of fitness and rapid gameplay adaptation, enabling Harshika to thrive among Romania's elite players.

(With inputs from agencies.)