Grace Dangmei is an Indian footballer, who plays as a forward for the India Women’s National Football Team. She was part of the team at the 2014 Asian Games and at the 2016 South Asian Games where she scored two goals against Sri Lanka.
Her rise through the ranks was swift. In 2010, she got selected for Manipur U14 and within three years she got the national team call up. And she credits the current assistant coach of the Indian national team Chaoba Devi for playing an important role in her formative years.
Grace idolizes another sporting legend from the North-East of India, boxer MC Mary Kom, and in the future, she wants to try her luck in Europe.
Check out Grace Dangmei in conversation with WF President, Ms. Namita Nayyar on football, her inspiration, fitness, and diet routines!
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Grace you belong to Manipur, Tell us about your journey of being a part of the Indian National Women’s Football team, your initial days of finding admiration for the sport
Ms. Grace Dangmei
When I was very young like around 11-12 years old, I use to practice in athletics, all the field sports activities. I was not even aware that I could play football. But then one day my friend insisted that I attend a grassroots festival at school (Loyola, Bhishnupur). That was my first contact with the sport and I thoroughly enjoyed it. That is where it all began, my love for the game. The coach asked me if I wanted to play and learn more and I was up for it. In those days I never thought about the future, I just wanted to play and enjoy the game.
FULL INTERVIEW ON NEXT PAGE!
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness Org
Ms. Namita Nayyar
You have been part of the Asian Games and South Asian games, how was your experience of representing your country at the International level. Share a memorable event.
Ms. Grace Dangmei
Asian Games is the most memorable for me. It was such an honor and a dream come true for me to get the opportunity to represent the country at such a big stage. I shared the dressing room with so many great such as Bem Bem di, Shushmita Di, Bala di. I got to learn so much from them. It was a dream come true. Sometimes I had to pinch myself to believe that this was real.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
How often do you train for the sport, what is it like a day in your life?
Ms. Grace Dangmei
I train daily, even if it’s the off season. Its very important for an athlete to keep the body active. Every morning its almost a 2 hour long session. I always train with the mindset that I have to be game ready every day.
Due to covid restrictions the pattern has changed. Sometimes the grounds are not available, sometimes you don’t get a team to train with. So depending on the situation I plan my session and get on with it. Now a days I train with my cousin as its tough to get a team to train with.
Apart from that I love to indulge myself into Gardening. I grow a lot of vegetables in the backyard. Also I take care of my baby rabbits, feeding, cleaning, caring and loving them.
I try to do weight training in the evening but I usually end the evenings with a calm walk, or a trek to a nearby spot and call it a day.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
What comprises your fitness regime? How do you manage your workout schedule in the current times?
Ms. Grace Dangmei
It has not changed much. In the morning I train daily for a couple of hours and the evening is kept free for weight training and band work. Sometimes when the time is right I go for evening treks or long walks
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Sugarplum Cakery is your brainchild that started in 2015. According to your top 5 must-try recipes or foods.
Ms. Grace Dangmei
I love eating food and most importantly I love the Manipuri cuisine. It is close to my heart and it is my comfort food. I love eating all the delicacies here. My favorite is Ironda (Chutney) made from Potatoes and Green vegetables. I like eating on the non-spicy side of things.
Protein is an unexcusable part of my diet. We have learned over the years how important it is to maintain balance. I also use pre-workout drinks which help every athlete a lot. The most important thing is to keep yourself hydrated all the time.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Football is still seen as an upcoming sport in the Women’s category, what are your thoughts on the same? Your favorite football player and inspiration
Ms. Grace Dangmei
Football is growing by leaps and bounce over the last few seasons. The IWL has started and it has brought up a major change in the way football is growing. There is a pathway that has been developed now to get into the national team which is an extremely good thing.
The AIFF has put in a lot of effort to get the womens football growing. The national team players have long training camps, which helps us train professionally year round and bonds the whole team together.
Next year for women’s football is going to be epic as we host two world class tournaments in Asia Cup and the U-17 World Cup. This gives a massive boost. With such tournaments in place players are giving their 100% and they are being supported by their parents as well as they see a hope for the near future.
There as so many tournaments also being conducted at the youth level, U14, U-16 and U-19s, Inter districts and so on n so forth. This has given a great boost for participation and the womens player base has widened considerably which is a good sign for the future.
My favorite international player and inspiration are Megan Rapinoe. She is a star a legend. The more I read about her and watch her videos, she really inspires me a lot both on and off the field. She has had a fantastic career where she captained the side and was the torchbearer for women football. I really like her motivational speeches and leadership qualities. She has achieved so much. I also like her hair color.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Your morning ritual that you swear by? Also, do you prefer cardio or weight training?
Ms. Grace Dangmei
Pray as soon as I get up around 15 to 20 mins. That is always a must and then I get on with my day. Cardio or weight training, it depends on what I want to achieve with the particular session and what have I done the previous day, and what is expected of me. I enjoy doing both as I know it is helping me get better
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Advice you would like to share for young girls aspiring to practice sport at national and international level
Ms. Grace Dangmei
Never give up is my only advise to the boys and girls who are aspiring to play at the national and international level. If you see a dream go and live it.
Everyone will face some or the other obstacles, but we should just try and work our way around it. There is no substitute for hard work and dedication.
For me as well, I have very humble beginnings, for me to get boots and kit was a big struggle but I always found a way, saved up and took really good care of my equipment so that I don’t need to reinvest. Looking at everyone else was very intimidating with everyone wearing the latest pairs of boots and kit but I learned that it was just a mental block for me. I needed to focus on the game and not on the surroundings.
During my first national camp with the senior team, I was very young, with lots of senior players in my position, I was never a member of the first 18. The seniors were really good players and had a lot of experience. I was demotivated that I might not be able to be as good as them and that I didn’t have it in me to play at the national level. But I never gave up, I worked hard, learned from their experience to impress the coaches so that I could find myself in the starting XI. I persevered over the years and finally got my break.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Motivational quote that you live by
Ms. Grace Dangmei
‘Never Give Up’ is my moto. One has to have the self-confidence to express themselves every time they step on the pitch. Trust me you can do it.
Apart from that moto, I take motivation from watch pro players like Mo Salah, I often watch his videos for 10 to 15 mins before a game to motivate myself and get into the zone to give my best. Also, I use our very own Punjabi music before the games.
Know More About Grace Dangmei
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness Org