Poulami Adhikari: Footballer Who Represented India Internationally Now Works As Food Delivery Agent, Clip Goes Viral

Apart from financial crunch, injuries too have played a part in Poulami taking up the job but all of that hasn't entirely kept her away from the football field.

The Indian Football Association (IFA) has reportedly contacted Poulami for a meeting with the officials.

Source : Screengrab: Twitter/YouTube

Kolkata: Even though India is taking massive steps to ensure sports is a viable career option for youngsters, the destination is still some distance away as is evident from a video which has gone viral on social media. Poulami Adhikari, a youngster who has played football at both the national and international level, is forced to put on hold her sporting career and work with a food delivery app as a delivery agent to make ends meet.

Apart from financial crunch, injuries too have played a part in Poulami taking up the job but all of that hasn't entirely kept her away from the football field. Despite a hectic 12-hour shift, she takes time to practice for a couple of hours everyday, harbouring hopes of wearing the national jersey once again. A social worker, Atindra Chakraborty, took to his social media platforms to share an interview with her and the viral video has helped her gain some fame and draw attention to her condition.

The Indian Football Association (IFA) has reportedly contacted her for a meeting with the officials and there is still hope.

Played For India at the 2016 Homeless World Cup in Scotland

"Even after playing football at national and international tournaments when nothing worked out, I had to work as a food delivery agent to feed my family," she said in a viral video.

মেয়েটির নাম পৌলমী অধিকারী। মেয়েদের ফুটবলে দেশের প্রতিনিধিত্ব করেছিলেন। বাবা, মেয়ের সংসারে একাই রোজগেরে। চারুচন্দ্র কলেজে পড়েন। @zomato @Swiggy ডেলিভারি উওমেন। pic.twitter.com/XIzz3WVc51

— Anup Homray অনুপ হোমরায় انوپ ہومر۔ (@anuphomray) January 9, 2023

In an interview with Ganashakti, she reveals how her father works as a driver but that isn't enough to bear the expenses of the family and her job as a delivery agent helps to make ends meet.

The 24-year-old lost her mother as in infant and is a 3rd year undergraduate student at the Charuchandra College. She was raised at her maternal uncle's house in Behala by her aunt Ashima Patra. She revealed that when she is working in the night shift, it tends to end past midnight.

Poulami has represented India at the 2016 Homeless World Cup in Scotland.