I will go away from clouds … Father murdered, maternal grandparents handled, now a 15-year-old tribal girl going to Germany

This journey has not been easy for 15-year-old Suhani, because his life has been a turbulent journey of sorrow and expectations. At the age of just six, he saw the murder of his father and a shock for him that he could hardly forget. After the father’s death, Suhani took shelter near her maternal grandparents in Bicharpur village, which is now lovingly called ‘Mini Brazil’ for her football passion. Suhani’s story is a story of firmness. Because she is starting a new chapter and is going to Germany for football training for her.

German coach will get training
Suhani is taking her training under the guidance of prestigious German coach and former Bundesaliga player Dietmar Barsdorfer. For him, the training camp to be held from October 4 to 12 is an important milestone. The team left for New Delhi with coach Laxmi Sais.

Mother’s important role
Class 10 student Suhani has been selected to play as a goalkeeper. She has already participated in four school-national tournaments. The pain of losing his father still remains, but it further enhances his passion for the game. Her mother, whom she considers her strength, takes care of the family by selling clothes in the neighborhood. Recently, his first air trip to Mumbai for visa is in his heart. He further explained that till now only airplanes were seen flying in the sky. Step inside an airplane looks like magic.

Initiative from Mann Ki Baat program
A football kit worth about Rs 50,000 by the Madhya Pradesh Sports Department, including two pairs of football shoes worth Rs 10,000, is a precious treasure for them. I clean my shoes again and again. They are precious to me because life has always been full of struggle.

This initiative has been taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program, in which he highlighted the commitment of coach Dietamar Barsdorfer to train the young tribal footballers of Bicharpur. The interest of this German coach increased further when PM Modi discussed the unique football culture of Bicharpur in a podcast with American researcher Lex Fridman earlier this year. Bicharpur, known as ‘Mini Brazil’ since 2003, is a village where almost every house has a football player or coach. Along with Suhani, other footballer Sania Kushwaha (14), Pritam Kumar (14), Virendra Baiga (16) and Manish Ghasia (16) are taking their community hopes and aspirations on the global stage.