Dalima Chhibber Takes on Leadership Role at Nova Sports to Boost Women's Football
Dalima Chhibber Joins Nova Sports as Football Culture & Player Pathways Lead
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 18: Indian national football player Dalima Chhibber has officially joined Nova Sports as the Football Culture & Player Pathways Lead, stepping into a proactive role within the Nova Football Pathway.
In her new position, Chhibber will play a vital role in shaping the curriculum and operational processes of the Nova Football Academy. She will also mentor athletes and act as a liaison for players, coaches, and parents, while promoting the Nova Sports brand both on and off the field.
Her responsibilities will extend to enhancing the broader football ecosystem, which includes onboarding coaches and focusing on the training and development of female coaches.
Dalima aims to create systems that support athletes at various stages of their growth, establishing a solid framework for the advancement of women's football in India.
Commenting on her new role with Nova Sports, Dalima Chhibber expressed, “As players and women in football, we have been advocating for more structure and support to help the sport flourish. The initiative taken by Capri Sports is truly exciting. There is immense potential in women's football, and I am thrilled to contribute to building that pathway. It's remarkable to see people willing to support the sport from grassroots to elite levels.”
She further elaborated, “I’m eager to leverage my experience as a player and sports psychologist, along with my international exposure, to help shape the Nova Sports program and its football curriculum. Developing an athlete encompasses more than just teaching them to kick a ball; it involves a holistic approach. Football is both mental and physical, requiring proper guidance, nutrition, and support. My role also includes developing the pathway, shaping the philosophy, and creating a system where young girls can envision themselves pursuing football professionally, dreaming bigger, and ultimately reaching the national team.”
Dalima's appointment follows the successful conclusion of the inaugural SuperNova Football Championship (SNFC) in Bengaluru, marking the platform's first significant on-ground initiative.
This two-day 7-a-side Championship gathered schools from across Bengaluru, providing young girls with a chance to compete, showcase their talents, and experience football in a dedicated matchday setting.
As a special guest at the championship, Dalima remarked, “When I began playing, events like this were non-existent. This is one of the largest events I have witnessed in women's football at the grassroots level in India. It has been wonderful to see so many young girls from various age groups and school teams come together to showcase their skills and compete, something I didn’t have the opportunity to experience growing up. There have been significant gaps in basic structure, facilities, accessibility, and overall support needed to nurture an athlete. Through Nova Sports, we aim to address these issues—not just by teaching girls how to kick a ball, but by developing them as players and individuals.”
Dalima Chhibber's partnership with Nova Sports significantly enhances the initiative, bringing the expertise, credibility, and insights of a seasoned Indian footballer into its long-term vision.
Her experience at the highest levels of the sport, coupled with her understanding of the challenges and opportunities in women's football, will bolster Nova Sports' efforts to create a meaningful and credible pathway for young girls. Having a player of Dalima's caliber actively involved from the outset provides young athletes with a role model and mentor as they navigate their football journeys.