Our Pride

Manisha Kalayan

Manisha Kalayan

Manisha from the village of Muggowal in Mahilpur, have made their mark in the Indian women's football team. This talented athlete, born into an ordinary family, rose to stardom at a young age. In July 2022, she was selected as a member of the Apollo Ladies Club in Cyprus for a two-year stint, becoming the first female football player from India to achieve this feat. She showcased her skills in the World Champions League and proved her worth. She is the fourth Indian female athlete to sign a contract with a foreign club.

She has achieved excellence in her sport by representing her game in 15 countries, including Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Turkey, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, and Nepal. Now, she will showcase her magical game through the Saipras Club in international competitions. These achievements are a special result of her family's support, which has sown the seeds of hard work and dedication within her. Her family, being supportive and environmentally conscious, has paved the way for her success. They enrolled her in the Sant Atar Singh Khalsa Secondary School, where she started honing her football skills and began scoring magnificent goals. Principal Shiv Kumar, Manager Ajit Singh, and Sarbjit Singh Manjh, among others, took the responsibility of nurturing her talent. From there, she soared high, hitting the skies with her powerful and precise kicks. This school, with its coaching and grounds, has been instrumental in her national and international achievements. The school has already produced numerous footballers and continues to excel in this field.

Manisha Kalyan has been participating in national-level sports since the age of 14. She often scores two to three goals in the matches she plays. Her coaches say that she is a goal-hungry player who possesses the talent of a promising striker. With her performance in various sports events, Manisha captivates audiences in every field she plays. Principal Harbhajan Singh from the Mahilpur Sporting Club honored her with special recognition, stating that she is our proud daughter who is excelling in football both nationally and internationally. We are proud of our talented daughters and celebrate their achievements. Under the guidance of Coach Jagdish Singh and his brother Coach Brahmjit, she developed the ability to score goals on the national football championship stage at the age of 17. In the same vein, at the age of 19, during the Urja Cup held in Chandigarh, she set a record by scoring eight goals in five matches. She consistently showcases her kicking prowess in every competition. She also scored ten goals in four matches in the Indian Women's League. Playing for the Sethu Football Club, she demonstrated her exceptional skills by scoring two goals in four consecutive matches in the Second Division League. In November 2018, she was honored with the Best Player award in the national games held in Rurka Kalan.

Manisha has amazed spectators and selectors alike with her exceptional performance in eight international football matches at the national level. Her footwork on the field is mesmerizing, and she showcases her skills predominantly through scoring goals. Although she had previously participated in some local tournaments in Mahilpur, she couldn't achieve the remarkable position that Manisha has attained. In July 2013, she represented the Indian team in the Brics Cup held in South America, where she scored a goal against China, earning praise and applause. At the age of 18, she participated in the SAFF Cup, where she played for Bhutan and secured victories with stunning goals. In September 2018, she represented Thailand in the AFC Under-19 Women's Championship, where she scored three goals against Pakistan. With her outstanding performance, she led Thailand to victory against Pakistan by securing a crucial goal.

In January 2019, Manisha played friendly matches against Hong Kong and Indonesia. She also showcased her skills in the Hero Gold Cup. In Turkey, Manisha played matches against Turkey and Romania in the Turkish Women's Cup. In March 2019, during the SAFF Cup Championship held in Nepal, the Indian team, with Manisha's significant contribution, defeated Sri Lanka 5-0, Maldives 6-0, Bangladesh 4-0, and Nepal 3-1. India won the cup with remarkable performances, and Manisha played a vital role in the team's success. In the Indian Women's Championship 2019, she was awarded a cash prize of 75,000 rupees as the Emerging Player. Later, Manisha joined the senior Indian team and played in the AFC Olympic Qualifying Round 2. She displayed exceptional skills and played a competitive match against Indonesia and Nepal, showcasing her coordination and commanding game. Her performances consistently impress the audience, and she remains dedicated to continuous improvement and practice in football.

Manisha participated in the Mata Raj Kumari Cup on November 27, 2001, and showcased her exceptional skills, raising the bar with her outstanding performance. Despite being the youngest among four sisters, she never felt overshadowed by her older siblings, Sonam, Manu, and Shivani. Her father, Teja Singh, consistently supports and encourages her. Manisha believes that she works day and night, like a shining star in the sky of Indian football, to achieve her goals. Her strong determination and remarkable achievements prove that she is dedicated to shining in women's football, not only in India but also on an international level. Her courage, along with her impressive accomplishments, is evidence that she will one day elevate Mahilpur to a significant position in women's football. Although her bravery may be limited, her potential is limitless, and she will continue to receive the support she needs to succeed.

In the UEFA Women's Football League, during the 60th minute of the match, Manisha Kalyan entered the field as a substitute and scored a goal against Reiga FC, securing a 3-0 victory. The All India Football Federation announced her as the Best Football Player of the 2020-21 season. She displayed an outstanding performance in the Under-17 category in Bhutan and Under-19 AFC Qualifiers in Thailand, earning recognition as an amazing player of football. Her remarkable performance in the South Asian Football Federation Cup and the Indian Super League led her to win a gold medal. She is fulfilling her dream of playing abroad at a young age through her hard work and dedication.