From a cramped, one-room staff quarter in Kalyani’s government hospital West Bengal, India to the grand halls of Sydney Town Hall for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup draw — Sangita Basfore’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. And yet, for the 29-year-old midfield general of the Indian women’s football team, this is just the beginning.
I’ve been part of this national team setup for a decade now. The goal is clear — to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027. We’ve come so far, and now we’re just one step away. Our focus is on giving our best in every game in Australia and carrying the Indian flag forward.
The Moment That Sparked a Nation’s Interest
Back in June, Sangita was the toast of Indian football after she scored both goals in India’s thrilling win over Thailand — a higher-ranked opponent — in their final qualifier. The celebratory photo of her, arms aloft and face beaming, went viral across social media. It was a rare spotlight moment for a team that often exists outside mainstream attention.
India now finds itself in a challenging Group B for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, drawn alongside Japan (7th), Vietnam (37th) and Chinese Taipei (42nd). Ranked 70th, India may appear underdogs on paper — but Sangita isn’t one to be fazed.
We’ve played all three teams before. Yes, we made mistakes then, but we’ve learned from them. Our coach is constantly working on the small details — what to do, what to avoid. We’re not going in blind.
Resilience, Rejections and Redemption
Sangita’s resilience has been forged by setbacks. A career-threatening ACL injury ruled her out of the 2022 Asian Cup on home soil. “That hurt the most,” she says. “We had worked so hard, only for the camp to be hit by Covid and none of us got to play. It felt like the dream slipped away.”
But Sangita doesn’t dwell too long on missed chances. She’s part of a new generation of players under coach Crispin Chhetri, many of whom have faced poverty, social stigma, and limited infrastructure — what Sangita calls a “toughening-up process.” After the qualifiers, she quietly returned to her post with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Siliguri, balancing service duties with national duty.
From Kalyani Fields to Midfield Maestro
Sangita’s love for the game began on the hospital grounds where her father worked. “I shared that one-room home with my parents and four sisters,” she recalls. “My mother sacrificed so much. My dream was always to build her a house — and now, I’ve started.”
Her evolution into a defensive midfielder is also a tale of quiet ambition.
In 2018, during a tour in Spain, the coach asked me to focus on this role. I began studying Casemiro and Toni Kroos. The way they dictated play, their work rate — that’s how I wanted to play. It’s exhausting, but fulfilling.
Eyes on Brazil, Heart in Bengal
As Sangita prepares for the biggest stage of her life, her goals remain both personal and national. A World Cup spot would be a first for Indian women’s football — but for Sangita, it’s also a way to honour her roots, her mother, and the journey that shaped her.
In a nation still waking up to women’s sport, Sangita Basfore stands tall as a beacon of belief, sacrifice and strength.
Take a bow, Sangita. You’re already a champion.
