Aditi Chauhan, the West Ham goalie is asking for support from the Brit-Asian community, to help her stay and succeed in the UK. Aditi, who is the first Indian woman to make to one of the top Ladies football team in England, is due to go back to India on 29 January, after her Tier 4 visa (student) runs out.
Graduating with an Msc in Sports Management at Loughborough University, Aditi represented Indian Women's National Team for 5 years before coming to the UK. She played for Loughborough University and then moved to West Ham Ladies FC, a third division club, inspiring many young footballers in India, and also the Brit-Asian community here.
The FA rules do not allow her to play for a first or a second division club on a student visa. That's why she moved to West Ham Ladies, a third division club. But they can't sponsor her visa, only first and second division clubs can do that.
Premier League regulars West Ham United FC can bail her out by offering her a job and thus sponsoring her work visa. Aditi, with crossed fingers, will be meeting West Ham representatives on Wednesday. But she remains unsure what will be the outcome.
Speaking to Asian Voice exclusively, Aditi said, “Over the years the girls' participation in football has improved in India but they still do not have enough opportunities to pursue their passion for the game.
“After I moved to West Ham Ladies FC a lot of young footballers back in India and also from the Asian community here in UK are following my career and are encouraging me to continue to push my limits as I am setting a path for the aspiring footballers to follow their dreams and give them hope to have a career in football.
“I played for the Loughborough University last season while I was studying at the university and then I moved to London to join West Ham Ladies FC which is a 3rd division club as with a student visa I was not allowed to lay for 1st and 2nd division clubs.
“My hard work helped me get in the starting 11 of the Loughborough University team and now I am starting for the West Ham Ladies 1st team.
“However the Football Association is not able to apply for a work permit, as West Ham is a third tier football club, and I am classed as semi professional.
“That does not change the fact that I am the first Indian woman footballer in the UK, to have reached this position and are playing with an established English football club.
“It is my humble request to you to help me acquire a suitable visa, and take my cause across the government and relevant authorities.”
Reaching out to the community, especially to community's favourite Asian MP, Rt Hon Keith Vaz, the Chair of Home Affairs Committee, Aditi is hopeful, something will be done here.
Her brother has also launched a petition in India, and it has already reached the target of 7500 signatures. It will be soon handed over to Sushma Swraj, Minister of External Affairs, India. It has also been directed towards development Foundation Chief, Nita Ambani.
This newspaper believes that Aditi's talents and experience would be significant for the community. She remains an ideal in and outside the UK, and is encouraging more and more youngsters to follow her steps in Britain. If the Indian Gymkhana or a Brit-Asian corporate extends their helping hand to Aditi with sponsorship, she may be able to stay here and continue her goodwork. She could possibly become an ambassador of the Indo-British ties in sports as Britain tries to capture the huge market in India with English Premier League. It is a rare and exclusive opportunity.
National Indian Students Union (UK) in a statement told Asian Voice, "We call on the UK Government to support Aditi by granting her a visa that allows her to stay on in the UK and pursue a career in professional football. Aditi is a role model for millions of Indian and British Indian females and her talent should be nourished and celebrated by both UK and India, instead of creating an environment of despair and discouragement."
President, Sanam Arora said, “Prime Minister Cameron often hails the UK - India relationship as that of people to people and we request him to consider the plea of exceptional talent in exceptional circumstances. In an environment of hostility against immigration in the UK, such a move would be extremely positive and go a long way in showing Indian talent , particularly students just how welcome they are in the UK.”
