In an era where numbers often define footballers, Ugandan Fazila Ikwaput’s story goes far beyond goals and trophies. From arriving in India as a foreign striker four years ago to becoming one of the most consistent goal scorers in the Indian Women’s football history, her journey has been built on impact, not noise. With over 50 IWL goals, Golden Boots, MVP honours, and an immediate influence at East Bengal Women, Fazila’s performances have spoken loudly on the pitch, even when the spotlight has not always followed.
Yet, what truly sets Fazila apart is not just her scoring records, but the purpose behind them. In a recent exclusive interview, when asked about motivation after achieving so much in her career, her answer shifted the conversation away from football itself. She spoke about the children she supports through her NGO — the reason she pushes herself every day, the strength behind every sprint, every finish, every celebration. For Fazila, football is not only a profession, it is a responsibility.
Her words carried the same honesty when she addressed young girls dreaming of football while facing social barriers. Drawing from her experiences with Indian players and her own journey, Fazila spoke about belief, patience, and persistence, reminding them that progress takes time, but self-belief and hard work never go unrewarded. It was a message rooted not in theory, but in lived reality.
This exclusive interview did not just highlight a prolific striker, it revealed a footballer driven by empathy, resilience, and purpose, a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful goals are scored far beyond the scoreboard.
Watch full Interview of Fazila Ikwaput
Full Interview in Text
Soccermonk: Tell us about your childhood in Uganda and how football first became a part of your life.
Fazila Ikwaput: Ok, football at first, back home, it was just like a fun game for me because I didn’t have any dream of being a professional. But after some years, I started enjoying the time in Uganda.
Soccermonk: Can you tell us about your NGO, and the kind of work it is doing?
Fazila Ikwaput: First of all, I decided to start by helping the needy kids, mostly the young girls, because there are more girls than boys. It’s a big number, just to help them get school, get education through sports. And they are also doing some work like, some social work, like small, small things. Then they sell out to get still what they need, like to wear and eat.
Soccermonk: Your journey has taken you from Uganda to India and now to a historic club of India, East Bengal. So, what has this journey taught you as a footballer and as a person?
Fazila Ikwaput: Ok, first of all, being part of the East Bengal team is, I’m really so happy and I feel at home. That’s why I’m giving in myself for everything. Then another thing is, I look up at the club’s target, like winning the trophy and being the champion.
That’s why I’m giving all my best, because I personally also have my target. Maybe, right now I have a target of taking the third golden boot and winning the trophy for the club.
Soccermonk: You have scored consistently, wherever you have played, like 24 goals in 13 matches, 9 goals in 7 matches in the SAFF Club Championship. Now, leading the IWL golden boot race again. So, is it your positioning, movement or mindset that helps you score consistently?
Fazila Ikwaput: It’s about mindset and first of all, the club loves winning, so I also love winning. That’s why I use every chance I get. I also, as a person, I love celebrating.
So, I cannot celebrate without scoring. It’s the fun part for me.
Soccermonk: You joined East Bengal this season and in just around 13-14 matches, you have already scored 20 goals. So, East Bengal is a historic club with huge expectations. Did that pressure push you more or it gave you extra motivation?
Fazila Ikwaput: It gives me extra motivation because I’m a winner as a person and the club is also for winners. So, it gives me extra motivation and I look up to working so hard. Because they love winning and I also love winning.
Soccermonk: You have scored 50-plus goals in the Indian Women’s League with fewer matches than many foreign players in men’s football. So, yet the spotlight hasn’t been the same. Does that frustrate you or does it fuel you?
Fazila Ikwaput: It fuels me most times because when I don’t score in a match, I feel so down. I feel I’ve not played what I’m supposed to play. That’s why I try to give in every minute I play on the ground to do my best.
Soccermonk: In Indian football, a big record-breaking season in the men’s football league usually gets a lot of attention. As a player doing something similar in the women’s league, do you feel women footballers are still fighting for basic recognition in India?
Fazila Ikwaput: I would say, in India, first of all, I would give credit to the federation. They have given the Indian girls a chance and their girls are really exposed. At least there is a big number.
Since I started my first year in India, there was no big challenge. But right now there are so many girls and also the national team is giving them a chance to get exposed. So football is growing so fast. So I give credit to the federation and their teams. It’s improving so fast.
Soccermonk: At East Bengal, your goals have directly shaped results. We saw many times. Do you feel the pressure of carrying expectations every match or do you enjoy being the difference maker?
Fazila Ikwaput: I do enjoy being a difference maker. But all we want is to win because we all have the same targets. So we play, we take every game to be serious and we take every game to be a fight for us. And we don’t take anyone easy.
Soccermonk: With records, trophies and goals already achieved, what still motivates Fazila Ikwaput every time she steps onto the pitch?
Fazila Ikwaput: I get motivation from the kids I’m taking care of. Because whatever I’m doing, I count on them. And they give me that strength to work so hard for them.
Soccermonk: As a woman footballer, what message would you like to give to young girls who dream of playing football but face social barriers or hurdles?
Fazila Ikwaput: First of all, if I talk about the Indian players I’ve played with, not only here. It’s about believing in themselves and working hard. Because most of them get so down.
But I know it’s about time. And I believe when there is always time and you believe in yourself, you achieve. So you have to just keep pushing for the best.
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