Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Tribal Girl from Jharkhand Honored for U-17 Football Achievements
Anushka Munda is a 15-year-old girl from a tribal village in Jharkhand.
She loves playing football and has become very good at it.
She was given a special award by the President of India for her skills in the Under-17 Indian football team.
Anushka comes from a family that struggles with money, but she is determined to do well in both football and her studies.
She has played in important tournaments and even scored a hat-trick against Bhutan.
Her family is very proud of her, even though they face many challenges.
Anushka hopes to get more recognition for her achievements.
Anushka Munda, a 15-year-old tribal girl from Jharkhand, received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for her achievements in the Under-17 Indian football team.
She was the only player from her team to receive the award, which was presented by President Droupadi Murmu.
Anushka comes from a family of daily wagers and her first coach was her aunt, Soni Kumari, who is also a national player and assistant football coach.
She was selected for a free football residential training centre in Hazaribagh in 2021, which provided accommodation, meals, and training.
Anushka scored her first international hat-trick against Bhutan and was named the top scorer of the U-17 SAFF Championship in Bhutan last year.
- Who
- Anushka Munda, a 15-year-old tribal girl from Jharkhand
- What
- Received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for her achievements in the Under-17 Indian football team
- When
- On December 26
- Where
- Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi
- Why
- For her exceptional performance and achievements in football
- Name
- Anushka Munda
- Nickname
- The Goal Machine
- Award
- Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
- Team
- Under-17 Indian football team
- First Coach
- Soni Kumari (her aunt)
- Training Centre
- Hazaribagh
- International Hat-trick
- Against Bhutan
- Upcoming Tournament
- AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup in China