Shillong, March 20 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma felicitated Sanfida Nongrum on Thursday, who became the first woman footballer from the state to play for the Indian senior team and score at the Women's AFC Asian Cup, ending a 23-year goal drought for India at the tournament.
Nongrum thanked the chief minister for providing financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh under the CM's Special Grant in recognition of her achievement.
CM Sangma said the state government was committed to encouraging sporting talents, and added that he has spoken to companies in Meghalaya to come forward and support players like Nongrum.
Describing her as an inspiration to countless young women, the chief minister said the government was happy to support such a remarkable talent and wished her the very best in her future endeavors.
Nongrum recently scripted history by becoming the first woman from Meghalaya to represent India at the senior level of football and scoring India's first goal at the continental tournament in over two decades. A determined India conceded a goal in the injury stoppage time to lose 1-2 against the higher-ranked Vietnam in their Women's AFC Asian Cup opening match in Perth, Australia, on March 4. Debutant Sanfida Nongrum, who came on as a substitute in the second half, equalized in the 65th minute after Vietnam had taken the lead in the 30th minute through Ngan Thi Van Su.
India were agonizingly close to securing one point from the match, but conceded a goal in the fourth minute of the second half, with Ngan Thi Van Su (94th) scoring her second of the match.