Shillong, Feb 26: In a proud moment for the state, Meghalaya’s own Bonifilia Shullai has been included in the Indian squad for the SAFF U-16 Women’s Championship, it was announced by the All India Football Federation today.
Bonifilia was one of 30 probables named earlier this month and has now made it into the final squad of 23 for the tournament that will take place in Lalitpur, Nepal, from 1st to 10th March.
After being chosen in a selection trial, the probables had been training in Goa, from which the final 23 players were selected. The Young Tigresses will depart for Nepal tomorrow.
This is the first time the tournament is being held for U-16s. India have twice won the SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship, in 2018 and 2019, beating Bangladesh in the final on both occasions.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bonifilia could often be seen giving it her all on the pitch in the Baby League and Children’s League here in Shillong. She was also named Most Promising Player at the State Level Chief Minister’s Football Tournament of 2019.
In 2022, she was chosen to be part of the Bengaluru FC U-15 girls’ team and later that year played for Garhwal FC in the Football Delhi Women’s Premier League (pictured).
Bonifilia is also a Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools player.
India squad for SAFF U-16 Women’s Championship:
Goalkeepers: Konjengbam Tamphasana Devi, Munni, Surajmuni Kumari
Defenders: Amrita Ghosh, Bonifilia Shullai, Divyani Linda, Elizabed Lakra, Gauri, Rheanna Liz Jacob, Rupashree Munda, Sarangthem Alena Devi
Midfielders: Anita Dungdung, Anushka Kumari, Anwita Raghuraman, H Yashica, Longajam Nira Chanu, Ritu Badaik, Shveta Rani, Thanda Moni Baskey
Forwards: Gurleen Kaur, Gurnaz Kaur, Neha Saji, Pearl Fernandes
Head coach: Biby Thomas Muttath
India fixtures (all times IST):
vs Bhutan, 1st March, 2:45PM
vs Bangladesh, 5th March, 2:45PM
vs Nepal, 7th March, 2:45PM
(Football Delhi file photo)
