Emerging onto the international scene, Kanchenjeet Kaur Nanua is embracing every aspect of life as a professional athlete, relishing every moment. With her sights set on Miami, we caught up with the young Tigress to delve into her football journey. Kanchenjeet embodies a determined spirit, aiming to excel in top-level competition while also promoting women’s football, with the steadfast support of her loved ones. After sharpening her skills in Malaysia, she's ready to shine in Florida.
Let’s talk about joining Under Armour. What does that mean to you?
It means a lot to me truly. To have such a big brand name sponsoring me as their brand ambassador sends a very strong message to all the girls out there that anyone can achieve if they put in their work. But specifically to the other aspiring female footballers, just give it a try no matter what because for me it was 'would you rather be ashamed of trying something and failing or feeling the guilt of not trying something'. For me I’d be ready to embarrass myself in front of others than sit quietly at the back and not try at all. I could never bear the thought of regretting not doing something.
As a young athlete representing Under Armour, what message do you hope to convey to other aspiring female footballers about empowerment and breaking barriers in sports?
I hope to convey a message of empowerment and breaking barriers in sports. Specifically to other aspiring female footballers, I want to inspire them to give it a try no matter what. For me, it was about facing the choice of either feeling ashamed of trying something and failing or feeling the guilt of not trying something at all. I believe in embracing the possibility of embarrassment over the weight of regret. By being part of Under Armour, I aim to show that with determination and hard work, any girl can achieve their dreams in football, and beyond.
Before we dive into your upcoming journey with Miami Dade College, could you share with us how your family has influenced and supported your football career, shaping who you are as an athlete today?
My family played a huge part in my football career. My parents would drive me to every game and training. They'd stand in the hot sun supporting me from the sidelines till today. I can still remember whenever I played in all-boys teams, and my dad would be ready on the sidelines just in case I got hurt, then he'd call my mom and she would panic over the phone. My dad and I would start laughing, and I'd forget about the pain. My elder sister, Asheesh, who also plays football, was always pushing me forward. I am very lucky to have my sister as my support, my best friend, and also as my rival. I used to be very skinny and small, so naturally, I always got injured. Every single time she would be there to protect me. In one particular match, an opponent deliberately kicked me hard, and I got pulled out of the game. Minutes later, she got bodied by my sister. Whenever I cried after I lost a match, she would be there to console me, and after a bad game when our dad was done lecturing us, she would crack jokes to make us feel better. During the SEA Games call-up, I think she could’ve also gotten a spot on the team; unfortunately, she got injured, but regardless, she still helped me through the whole thing.
Congratulations on your decision to join Miami Dade College! How did this opportunity come about and are there any specific individuals you'd like to thank for helping you secure this opportunity?
Thank you. I'm grateful. I've always enjoyed sports right from my primary school years. I tried many sports before sticking to football. Becoming a student-athlete in the US is a long process. Months of researching and learning about the process. I've been very lucky. My mother played a big part in this process. She solicited advice from contacts she'd made over the years being a true soccer mom. She enlisted an agent that opened many doors for me and my sister. Then it was all about interviews and researching on the colleges where the offers came from. It was a bit of a distraction for me during my SPM, but we pulled through at the end.
Looking forward to seeing your journey unfold. Now, onto discussing the women's game here in Malaysia. What aspects do you feel we're excelling in and where do you think we need to step up our game?
At this point, things are looking good for women's football. There are leagues all year round for us to play, which gives meaningful purpose to all our training. More clubs are opening their doors to girls. Even KPM organized a national U16 Malaysian Little League in October 2022 where we played against players from all states. My first semi-professional experience was when I played for Selangor in Liga Wanita National 2022. We shared the same facilities as the men's team and trained hard for 4 months. They were fantastic for 4 months. I learned a lot. Sadly, after the LWN league ended, the women's team was discontinued. We need continuity because there's a lot of potential. We see many grassroots-level games and open leagues, but there's a big vacuum for girls aged 16 to 24, especially for those after high school. Most of us have to decide whether we want to play or study. I'm lucky because I'm from the Klang Valley, but what about those outside the Klang Valley?
As a fan, I've noticed the prevalence of extremely negative messages and comments on social media during women's matches. How do you personally handle this type of negativity, and what steps do you believe the football community in Malaysia can take to better support and empower female athletes in the face of such criticism?
For me personally, I do read the comments, but I try not to take them to heart. I see them as constructive criticism; a challenge to improve or a sign that maybe I have areas where I've been lacking. In both ways, it's in favor of me. Of course, some comments can be really harsh, and not everything can be taken in, so I'd ring up my friends and family just to joke about it. As for the football community in Malaysia, perhaps we could receive the same amount of attention as the male national team. It would be great to see people come and watch our games, give support, and help boost our confidence. It would be wonderful to witness Malaysians supporting each other, instead of bringing us down. I was overjoyed when some of our fellow national cricket team members came to support me during my match in the Sea Games. It mattered. Thank you for that.
I first became aware of your performance during the Cambodia SEA Games. Could you share what the experience has been like representing the national team?
Well, it was my first time on the National team; I never imagined reaching that level. However, I took it as a challenge to prove my worth. As a junior player, I thought maybe I was given a chance to experience how it feels to be on the National team, but I trained as hard as everyone else. To my surprise, I was in the starting eleven for all games and played full-time in each one. I'm very thankful to Coach Soleen for putting her trust in me and allowing me to showcase my skills. I'm also grateful to my teammates because, on the pitch, we gelled so well that we could hold off a formidable opponent like the Philippines until the very last minute. I look forward to improving my gameplay even more and contributing further to the team.
Who would you say is your closest friend within the national team and what makes your bond with them special? Additionally, are there any teammates whom you particularly look up to or admire for their qualities on and off the field?
I didn't have a specific close friend; instead, I maintained a natural bond with everyone. Coach Soleen did a wonderful job and gave us ample opportunities to get to know one another. Throughout the training camp, we learned more about each other. We broke fast together, and I had the chance to share about my Sikh celebration, Vasakhi.
Given your remarkable success at such a young age, what's the next ambitious target you're aiming to conquer?
Thank you! My next target is to conquer the game play in Miami. I will be teammates with many big National team players from different countries like Brazil, Colombia, and many more. It's a challenge to prove that I am at their level or even better, and if I'm not, then I'll work twice as hard to be on par with them. I would love to play for a professional club when I'm older, and this is one of the challenges I'll face, so I will do my best in both my studies and football.
And now, onto the most critical matter at hand: Any chance you've got a secret discount code for us poor souls looking to snag some Under Armour gear without breaking the bank?
The best way is to become a member of Under Armour and download their app. They often offer fantastic discounts on limited merchandise, and it's definitely worth joining their events. At the last two events I attended, organized by Under Armour, they gave out some pretty awesome goodie bags.