I had never watched a football match when I was first selected to play. In fact, I did not even know much about the game. I was good at sports and enjoyed running. I had stamina, and I was always happy to be on the playground. But football was completely new to me. I had never followed the game and had no idea what I was supposed to do once the ball came to me.

Then one morning after our school assembly, our PTE sir asked a group of us to stand in a line. He made us run from one end of the field to the other and watched us carefully. After that, he pointed at a few of us and asked us to step aside.

I was one of them. That was how I was selected to play football. 

My mother enrolled me in Kallam Anji Vidyalaya in LKG. She was working as an attendant at the school at the time, so it was convenient for us to travel together. But more than convenience, my mother wanted me to receive a good education and have opportunities that she felt could help me in the future.

I am the youngest of three children, and growing up, I was always surrounded by my family.

My father works as a car driver and also takes up work as a farmhand. Because of his work, he is often away from home. My mother has always managed the family, and like most children, I have learned how to convince her when there is something I really want.

In the beginning, football was something completely unfamiliar to me. But once I started playing, I wanted to learn more. My teachers and my coach, Samad sir, encouraged me from the beginning. They saw that I enjoyed sports and had the stamina to play. Slowly, I learned what to do with the ball. I learned how to move across the field, work with my teammates, and understand the game beyond simply running after the ball. The more I played, the more I loved it.

Over time, I also began following professional football. I started watching and learning from players like Alex Morgan, Meghan Rapinoe, Sam Kerr, and Oinam Bembem Devi. I admire the way they play and the dedication they have shown to the game. But if you ask me who my favourite player is, I do not have to think twice. Neymar! That answer will probably never change.

Football has already taken me places I never imagined I would go. One of my most memorable experiences was travelling to Bengaluru for the Nationals. For me, the journey itself was exciting. It was an opportunity to represent my team at a much bigger level and compete against other talented players.

We played well and reached the final. But we lost to Pune by just one goal. A penalty goal! It was a closely fought match, and we had given everything we could. But when the final result came, we were runners-up.

I remember how difficult it was to accept. I was so upset that I could not even enjoy my journey back home. The return flight was my first time travelling in a plane. It should have been an exciting experience. But I spent most of the journey crying because I could not stop thinking about the match and how close we had come.

But football has taught me that every match does not end the way you want it to. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose by one goal. Sometimes you come very close and still have to return home disappointed. But you go back to the field again.

Not everyone around me understands why football means so much to me. Some of my cousins and neighbours tease me for playing. For them, football is not something they expect a girl to spend so much time doing. But their opinions have never mattered as much as the support I have received from my family. 

My parents encourage me to continue. My elder brother, especially, supports me. He gives me small tips and encourages me to improve my game. And whenever I have an opportunity to play, my family does what they can to support me.

Today, my dream is much bigger than simply playing for my school. I want to become a professional footballer. One day, I want to play for my country.

I know that reaching that level will require a lot more training, opportunities, and support. That is why I hope that one day a football club will recognise my potential and sponsor me so that I can continue developing my game.

The girl who once had no idea what to do with a football now knows exactly where she wants it to take her.