AFC Women's Asian Cup
Running tirelessly across midfield, creating opportunities and battling for every ball, East Bengal’s Soumya showed the grit and vision that has taken the 24-year-old Telangana native to where she is.
“When I was young, I used to go secretly to practice because girls were not playing football in my village. Practising with boys made me mentally strong. Those days taught me not to take opportunities lightly. I learned to fight for every chance. That is still part of me today,” recalls Soumya.
Her formative years instilled a mindset that has carried her to the international stage, where she now leads by example.
“On the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired me a lot because of his hard work and mentality. In India, Sunil Chhetri is someone I really admire for his consistency.
“Off the pitch, all the coaches I have worked with inspired me. They believed in me and guided me at every stage.”
“On the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired me a lot because of his hard work and mentality. In India, Sunil Chhetri is someone I really admire for his consistency.
“Off the pitch, all the coaches I have worked with inspired me. They believed in me and guided me at every stage.”
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Even setbacks from injuries to high-pressure moments on the field have taught her the value of perseverance.
“The tough moments taught me that setbacks are part of football. Injuries, pressure, you have to handle everything. If you want to succeed, you must sacrifice and keep believing. I just focus on working hard.”
“The tough moments taught me that setbacks are part of football. Injuries, pressure, you have to handle everything. If you want to succeed, you must sacrifice and keep believing. I just focus on working hard.”
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Beyond her own career, Soumya is determined to inspire the next generation of players in India, showing that talent and hard work can overcome any barrier.
“Where you come from does not decide where you can go. I also started from a small place without facilities. If you work hard and believe, you can reach the top. And I want to tell parents that please give your daughters one chance.”
For India, Soumya is more than a midfielder – she is the embodiment of mental toughness and inspiration for a country eager to see its women’s game rise.
“Where you come from does not decide where you can go. I also started from a small place without facilities. If you work hard and believe, you can reach the top. And I want to tell parents that please give your daughters one chance.”
For India, Soumya is more than a midfielder – she is the embodiment of mental toughness and inspiration for a country eager to see its women’s game rise.
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