Precisely three days after turning sweet 16, Bhumika Mane a passionate and talented footballer received the best present any young birthday girl could ever have dreamt. The energetic striker got a call up from AIFF (All India Football Association) to join the National Coaching Camp in preparation for the Indian team for the forthcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be hosted by India in 2022. The camp commences from December 10 at Jamshedpur.
Bhumika’s inclusion in the 35-member National camp has made Mumbai’s football fraternity proud since she is the lone flag-bearer from the state of Maharashtra.
“I was pleasantly surprised and believe it was like my perfect birthday gift. I have always done my best for Mumbai and Maharashtra in the Sub-Junior and Junior National Championships and I was pretty certain that my efforts would be noticed and I was quite confident of being included in the probable list,” a modest Bhumika mentioned.
“The tough part starts now. I have to stay focused, determined, train hard, and be disciplined as I want to get selected to represent India for the World Cup. It will certainly be a dream, come true,” said the opportunistic goal-scorer.
Representing Canossa High School, Mahim in the MSSA competition, Bhumika had scored 21 goals in 6 matches in the U-14 category and around 20 in the U-16 age group.
Bhumika admits that she was inspired by watching her father Bharat Mane playing for Dadar XI in the local league, which ignited my passion for playing this ‘beautiful’ game from the age of nine. “My Dad was going to play a match at Parel and took me along. From the moment I watched the intense action, I instantly fell in love with this sport. Both my Dad and Mum encouraged and supported me to play football. My mother and grandmother would accompany me whenever I had gone outstation to play in the National tournaments. That helped to gain the confidence and do well,” opined the youngster, who is now an FYJC student at Khalsa College, Matunga.
Bhumika honed her skills under the guidance of Sydney Alexander, the founder, owner, and celebrated coach of Bandra outfit Companeroes SC and has been a regular member of the club.
There is no looking back for this articulate and skillful striker who seems to have set her sights on many goals to achieve.