Anju Turambekar

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT ANJU TURAMBEKAR

My journey in football & social development is deeply rooted in resilience, purpose, and lived experience from a small village in India to the international football landscape, first as a former football player & now as a development professional.I come from a modest village background where I was not allowed to play or continue my studies, & where the path ahead often felt blocked. Opportunities were limited, choices were restricted, and dreaming beyond what was visible seemed impossible. From an early age, I learned to navigate these challenges with determination, self-belief, and hard work. Sport became my strength not just as a game, but as a powerful force that shaped my values, discipline, & outlook on life.With a dream of playing at the highest level, I ran away from home, unaware then that life had different plans for me. With no guidance or support, I began moulding myself into a professional, learning through experience & perseverance. I worked my way into Indian football through persistence and continuous learning. My early years were defined by struggle, uncertainty, & the constant effort to prove my capability, especially in spaces where women and grassroots voices were often underrepresented. These experiences laid the foundation for my professional journey & continue to guide my leadership style today.Over time, this path took me far beyond my village into national roles & eventually to international assignments. I have gained extensive experience across grassroots football, youth development, elite-level football, women’s football, & capacity-building programs in India and overseas. My work has included assignments with national federations & AFC/FIFA-linked projects, alongside close collaboration with federation officials, coaches, administrators, educators, industry partners, & community stakeholders across cultures and countries.From governance and policy to on-ground implementation, I believe sustainable development enables organisations to grow far beyond short-term success.Beyond football, I actively design & lead community-driven initiatives centered on gender equality, youth leadership, health awareness, & village development. Having come from a village myself, this work is deeply personal. I believe that sport, when implemented with intent and integrity, can transform not just individuals, but entire communities.I seek roles & collaborations that value empathy, resilience, strategic thinking, & hands-on execution where sport is not just a profession, but a purpose.