anand mahindra@anandmahindra
Young Sanfida Nongrum scoring on her senior debut for the India women’s national football team in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
It was also India’s first goal in the tournament in 23 years.
But the story behind the goal is just as inspiring.
Across the Northeast, in places like Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya, football is not just a sport. It’s part of everyday life. Girls grow up playing freely, supported by families and communities.
That ecosystem deserves far more recognition.
Because sometimes the future of a nation’s sport begins far from the biggest stadiums.