Shillong, March 7: Conrad K. Sangma has announced a ₹2 lakh financial grant for Sanfida Nongrum in recognition of her remarkable international debut and historic goal for India women’s national football team at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Taking to social media, the Chief Minister said the amount will be sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Special Grant to honour the young footballer from Meghalaya for her outstanding achievement.
Sangma noted that Nongrum, often described as “Meghalaya’s daughter,” created history by becoming the first woman from the state to represent India at the senior international level. She further etched her name in the record books by scoring India’s first goal in 23 years at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The Chief Minister congratulated the player for her milestone and expressed hope that her achievement would inspire many young footballers from Meghalaya and the Northeast to pursue the sport at the highest level.
It maybe noted, the last time India scored a goal in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup before March 4, 2026, Sanfida Nongrum hadn’t been born.
A historic goal on not just any day, but her senior India debut. On not just any stage, but the biggest tournament on the continent.
When Sanfida Nongrum found the net in the 52nd minute after coming off the bench at half-time against Vietnam in India’s opening match, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday, the moment carried far more weight than just a name on the scoresheet. It marked the return of an Indian goal at the continental showpiece and announced the arrival of a new face on the international stage.
For Sanfida, the joy of scoring was mixed with the disappointment of the result.
“Although I’m happy to score my first goal on my debut for India, I feel bad that we lost in the last moments. We will take our learnings and move forward to the Japan match,” she said after the game.
Also Read: From ‘Chief Minister by chance’ to Meghalaya’s longest-serving CM — Conrad Kongkal Sangma
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