Growing up in the heartland of Indian football in Goa never influenced Shona D Miranda, who dreamt of playing basketball instead. With genes, luck and instincts though, she eventually found herself on the football field last year, but in a different role— as tournament physiotherapist for the national under-21 championships. A year later, she raised her profile to be the only female physio among the top-brass Indian football clubs, and is currently associated with Churchill Brothers.

Miranda credits the reversal of fortunes to her brother Lloyd Simoes, former physio of Salgaocar SC, the football-crazy atmosphere in her hometown Cavelossim and former Indian cricket team physio Ali Irani.

“A lot of people have asked me about dealing with the men’s team but I have had no problems. All the players are very comfortable with my presence in the dressing room and treat me as a professional. As students of physiotherapy we have to handle any sport but my association with football has been so strong that I don’t think I will be able to look after any other sportsmen,” Miranda says, speaking to Sportline. “After working for a couple of years I have realised the need to understand the game you are dealing with. An injury in cricket will be different from that of football and areas of the body susceptible to injuries vary from sport to sport. I can’t switch now because I understand the technicalities of football better than any other game,” she adds.

This journey in sports medicine had her shifting bases continuously from Mysore to Goa to Mumbai but Irani’s piece of advice has been a constant. Right from being an intern at the Nanavati in Mumbai, Irani’s influence has been huge.

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