Is Manisha Kalyan Still Dreaming of Playing in the FIFA World Cup and Olympics?

Guwahati, Aug 8 (NationPress) India’s talented female footballer Manisha Kalyan expressed her aspirations of competing in the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics following India's landmark qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup set to take place in Australia next year.

At the ASMITA under-13 girls' league held at Nehru Stadium on Friday, Manisha, a 23-year-old forward and the only Indian female to have played in the UEFA Champions League, highlighted that ASMITA serves as a unique opportunity for young girls to pursue their football ambitions.

“I am still dreaming of playing in the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. Our qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia has strengthened our belief. With platforms like ASMITA, and by participating in more high-quality matches, young athletes can improve significantly,” stated Manisha to the eight teams participating in the Guwahati leg of ASMITA, which is designed to scout talent at the grassroots level across India.

Alongside her, two promising players from Assam, Rekha Kataki and Dosomi Rowtia, have made notable strides in Assam football. Dosomi has been selected for the national camp, while Rekha has taken the lead as captain for North East United Football Club in the Indian Women’s League Division 2.

“Football runs in the veins of the people from the North-East. I grew up idolizing Bala Devi, and currently, 11 of my teammates in the senior national squad hail from this region, showcasing the immense talent here. Perhaps in five years, one of these young talents will represent Assam and then India. Just stay focused on football and work hard. The ecosystem is evolving, and with government support, we can achieve even greater milestones,” remarked Manisha, who hails from Punjab.

The growth of ASMITA’s sports initiatives is evident, with a five-fold increase in football leagues in the Northeast since the 2022-23 season. In 2024-25, 25 different leagues were organized under the sports ministry’s ‘Sports for Women’ initiative, featuring 1,615 girls. For the financial year 2025-26, 852 ASMITA leagues are planned across 15 sports disciplines, targeting over 70,000 women athletes nationwide.

The Union sports ministry is prioritizing sports in Northeast India, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announcing the inclusion of a Northeast-specific Games in the Khelo India calendar.

“This addition will be a significant boost. This region is not only excelling in football but also in various sports, and providing them with more exposure is essential,” added Manisha, who has played professionally in Cyprus and Greece. Notably, she is the only Indian woman to have netted a goal against Brazil in an international tournament in November 2021.