Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced a financial grant of Rs 2 lakh for young footballer Sanfida Nongrum after her historic senior international debut and goal for the India women’s national team at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia on March 4, 2026. Sangma made the announcement on social media, saying the amount would be sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Special Grant as recognition and encouragement for Nongrum’s achievement.
Nongrum scored in the 52nd minute after coming on at half‑time during India’s opening match against Vietnam at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, giving India its first goal at the Women’s Asian Cup in 23 years. The strike-on her senior national debut and at Asia’s premier women’s tournament-ended a long continental scoring drought for India.
The goal’s historical weight was underscored by the fact that the previous Indian goal at the Women’s Asian Cup occurred more than two decades earlier-before Nongrum was even born. Her contribution on such a prominent stage has been hailed as a symbolic moment for Indian women’s football and a sign of fresh talent emerging for the national side.
Nongrum, who hails from Meghalaya, also became the first woman from the state to represent India at the senior international level, adding regional significance to her personal milestone. The achievement has been widely celebrated across the Northeast, a region long recognised for producing footballing talent.
Sangma congratulated Nongrum on social media—“Meghalaya’s daughter has made us proud”—and expressed hope that her success will inspire a new generation of players from Meghalaya and the wider Northeast. He emphasized that the gesture is meant to highlight the region’s sporting potential and the importance of nurturing grassroots talent.
Despite the eventual disappointment in the match result, Nongrum’s debut goal has already sparked national and regional pride and put a spotlight on the pathways for young women footballers in India.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalaya-cm-announces-rs-2-lakh-grant-for-footballer-sanfida-nongrum-for-historic-debut-goal-at-afc-womens-asian-cup-1356304-2026-03-07?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-03-07 22:54:00
