Shukla Dutta, the former India international and a prolific scorer in the Asian Championship in 1981 regained the honour of being chief coach of the under-19 Indian women's team after five years. She was the chief coach of the under-17 girls' team just after having guided the Rising Star FC of Odisha FC to the title in the IWL (Indian Women's League). 

Then she was awarded the chief coach's post for the BRICS tournament held in South Africa in 2018 and Indian girls finished third spot in the competition. 

Dutta now says the current assignment is 'significant and challenging'. She explained, “The foreign coaches' entry in Indian football has been for a long time. Women's football also has been witnessing foreign coaches' access for some time. Considering the perspective, I feel I have got an opportunity to earn the confidence of the AIFF top brass. If the team can bring laurels in the SAFF then AIFF might think of Indian coaches in the future. It is not that Indian coaches are not competent. but they are not getting opportunities.” 

She added, "There are nearly 12 coaches right now who acquired the highest coaching degree, a license. But their whole effort will go in vain unless the clubs, federation, and state associations offer assignments. Naturally, my job also becomes challenging."

Shukla however expressed utmost satisfaction for having acquired an A-license coaching degree. She added, "Acquiring an A-license degree was badly needed to continue coaching. It was also difficult for me to complete the course amidst such a business at my office," said the Inspector at Calcutta Customs. Shukla was also compelled to refuse a coaching offer from an IWL club due to work pressure.

The under-19 Indian women’s team will kick off against Bhutan in the SAFF competition on 2nd February before facing Bangladesh and Nepal in their next encounters. 

Shukla however has set some plans during the preparatory camp to be held in Goa from 30th December. One of her plans is to play a couple of preparatory matches against the boys’ teams. She said, “Playing against boys will help the girls to develop strength stamina, and speed."

Shukla commenting on the standard of the country’s women’s football compared to their time said, “The women footballers are getting a lot of facilities and exposure trips. Naturally, improvement should be there. But at the same time, I feel sad to have seen that the standard of Bengal's women's football is not improving."