In a moment of immense national pride and personal triumph, Anushka Kumari Munda, the prolific striker of India's Under-17 women's football team, was honoured with the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. The young athlete, famously nicknamed 'The Goal Machine', received the award from President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in New Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan on December 26, 2025.
A Dream Fulfilled for a Tribal Family
For the 15-year-old Anushka and her family, belonging to the Munda tribe in Jharkhand, the recognition carried a profound significance that went beyond sporting achievement. The award was presented by India's first tribal President, Droupadi Murmu, an act the family views as a powerful endorsement of their tribal identity. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment," her mother, Ritu Devi, emotionally recounted. She highlighted the unique opportunity for her daughter to be honoured by President Murmu before the end of her term.
Hailing from Rukka Munda Toli, an Adivasi village on the outskirts of Ranchi, Anushka's journey began in humble surroundings. Growing up in a village with more boys than girls, playing football felt like a natural choice. "It felt natural, since we Adivasis are known to be good at football and hockey. I began hanging out with boys on the village's field," Anushka shared, explaining her early foray into the sport.
The Making of a 'Goal Machine'
Coming from a family of daily wage workers, Anushka's first coach was her aunt, Soni Kumari, the village's only other national-level player who is now an assistant football coach. Her big break came in 2021 when she was selected for a free residential football training centre in Hazaribagh. The centre provided crucial support in the form of accommodation, meals, and structured training, allowing her talent to flourish.
Initially starting as an attacking midfielder, Anushka eventually transitioned to the striker position. Her small stature belies a powerful and clinical performance on the field. Her consistent excellence at the Hazaribagh centre paved her way to the Jharkhand state team. However, her national breakthrough arrived at the Sub Junior National Football Championship. Her standout performance there earned her a camp call-up and subsequently, a coveted spot in India's U-16 squad for the SAFF Women's Championship in Nepal.
Although India finished as runners-up to Bangladesh in that tournament, Anushka announced her arrival on the international stage by scoring her first international hat-trick against Bhutan. Her goal-scoring prowess was further cemented when she was named the top scorer at the U-17 SAFF Championship in Bhutan in August 2024. Two months later, she was instrumental in securing India's qualification for the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup, contributing to a historic 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in Bishkek. The continental tournament is scheduled to be held in China between April 30 and May 17, 2026.
Overcoming Adversity On and Off the Pitch
Anushka's sporting ascent has been paralleled by a continuous struggle against poverty at home. Her father, Dinesh Munda, a former football player himself, met with a tragic accident two years ago when heavy equipment fell on his leg at a construction site. The injury left him unable to walk or sit without support, rendering him unable to work. While he could not travel to Delhi for the award ceremony, he watched it proudly on a relative's mobile phone.
The financial strain forced Anushka's mother, Ritu Devi, and her elder brother to take up work at a water manufacturing unit. Anushka is acutely aware of these challenges, which is why she places equal emphasis on her education. "I won't miss my exams as we know the condition of sports personalities in India, especially Jharkhand," she stated pragmatically, even as her teammates train in Bengaluru for the upcoming Asian Cup. She knows she needs a solid backup plan.
Despite her national fame, Anushka sometimes feels a lack of local recognition. She reminisces about simpler times, like winning a goat in barefoot Adivasi tournaments, but also expresses a wistful desire for more celebration in her own community. "I mean, I don't really need it, but I can't figure out why no one from my village or around Jharkhand has ever greeted me with garlands... Not even political leaders," she remarked.
Yet, for her father, watching from his home, the pride is uncontainable. "How can I not be proud of my daughter?" Dinesh Munda asks. "She plays for India." Anushka Munda's story is not just about goals scored on the field, but about a young tribal girl scoring a monumental victory for aspiration, resilience, and identity.
