Joya's Journey: From Khelo India to India U17 Heroics in Myanmar Win
When 14-year-old Joya's volley hit the net deep in stoppage time to seal India's 3-2 comeback victory against Myanmar in Yangon on March 14, it marked a moment she will cherish for a lifetime. Coming off the bench in only her second international appearance for the Indian U17 women's national team, the young striker delivered the decisive goal and celebrated by immediately calling her mother, her biggest supporter.
Roots in Punjab: A Passion Ignited
For Joya, the journey to that pivotal moment began in the narrow streets of her village in Phagwara, Punjab. Growing up, she first picked up football while watching boys play in the neighbourhood. "My mother was a bit worried at first. Football was not something many girls played back then. But she was later very supportive, once she understood how passionate I am towards the game," said Joya, as quoted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
She credits her early coaches for guiding her path: "I need to thank my coaches, Hardeep Singh, who helped me take my first step towards football in Phagwara, and Sandeep Singh, who trained me at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Academy in Hoshiarpur. Without their early guidance, I would not have made it here."
Khelo India Breakthrough and National Camp Call-Up
Her first real exposure to competitive football came in 2024 when she participated in the U15 Khelo India Women's Football League. "That was my first experience of playing competitive matches at that level," she recalled. The tournament opened a new world for the young forward, showcasing her talent on a larger stage.
Soon after, Joya's impressive performances earned her a call-up to the national camp in Bengaluru earlier this year. Training alongside some of the country's best young players under head coach Pamela Conti proved to be a transformative experience. "It was my first time in the national camp, and the training was at a very high level. Playing under an experienced coach like Conti, who has both played and coached in World Cups, and sharing the dressing room with players from around the country, gave me a lot of exposure to how international football works and how players prepare," she explained.
Seizing the Moment in Yangon
That rigorous preparation paid off spectacularly in Yangon. When Joya was sent on as a substitute late in the match, she focused intently on the instructions given by the coaching staff and seized her moment with precision. Scoring the winning goal not only secured a memorable victory for India but also announced her arrival on the international scene.
This achievement highlights the growing pipeline of talent emerging from initiatives like Khelo India, bridging grassroots development to national team success. Joya's story serves as an inspiration for young athletes across the country, demonstrating that with dedication and support, dreams can indeed become reality.
