NICOSIA, Sept 16:
It was less than two years ago that a nifty 20-year-old amazed the world as she sped away from her marker in Manaus, to score against hosts Brazil, sending the fans of Indian Football into fantasy land.
Manisha Kalyan, over the last few years, has not only become one of the key players for the Indian Women’s Team, but she has also gone on to make a name for herself in Europe.
Manisha has many firsts to her name ? she is the first Indian to net a goal against mighty Brazil; she is the first Indian to score in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for Apollon Ladies FC against WFC Samegrelo of Georgia this week, thus raising the bar for women’s football in India.
“Going to Apollon Ladies FC in Cyprus from my small village in Hoshiarpur carries deep significance for my career. I am often the first to reach the field for training and the last to leave. It’s an ample testimony to my hard work and it brought results. I earned through unwavering hard work, dedication, and determination,” said Manisha to www.the-aiff.com from Cyprus. Yet, I am not satisfied, and I am not going to rest. It’s still a long way to go,” she said.
To be picked up by a club like Apollon Ladies is an achievement by itself, that too for an Indian girl. They are a leading club in Cyprus, having won nine consecutive doubles. They made headlines after beating two-time European champion Umea IK in their second appearance in the Champions League.
Manisha Kalyan’s journey in football began at a young age. Growing up in Haryana, a state known for producing some of India’s finest athletes, she was introduced to the sport through her local community and school. Her passion for football quickly became evident, and she started showcasing her talent on the field.
“As I said, I’ve made significant sacrifices, and I understand that my focus here is essential to not letting those sacrifices go to waste. Overcoming financial instability and family issues, especially after my father was involved in an accident, has been a rather difficult journey,” Manisha said.(UNI)
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