For Joya, the journey to that moment began in the narrow streets of her village. Growing up in Phagwara, Punjab, she first picked up football while watching boys play in the neighbourhood. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy 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,\u201d Joya was quoted as saying by the All India Football Federation on their official website. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Her first real exposure to competitive football came in 2024 when she participated in the U15 Khelo India Women\u2019s Football League. \u201cThat was my first experience of playing competitive matches at that level,\u201d she recalled. The tournament opened a new world for the young forward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Soon after, Joya\u2019s performances helped her earn a call-up to the national camp in Bengaluru earlier this year. Training alongside some of the country\u2019s best young players under head coach Pamela Conti was a transformative experience. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Her first real exposure to competitive football came in 2024 when she participated in the U15 Khelo India Women\u2019s Football League. \u201cThat was my first experience of playing competitive matches at that level,\u201d she recalled. The tournament opened a new world for the young forward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That preparation paid off in Yangon. When she was sent on as a substitute late in the match, Joya focused on the instructions given by the coaching staff and seized her moment. Scoring the winning goal made the occasion even more special.<\/p>\r\n\r\n