The AFC Women's Club Championship starts on Saturday. The schedule says that India's matches have been cancelled, but the club from India, Gokulam Kerala FC is still hoping for a turnaround as the centre has now got involved and is negotiating with FIFA to let the girls play.
If Mary Kom started the revolution, these girls are still sowing seeds of aspiration in their community and village. To reach as far as Mary has got, they will have a long road to travel.
Indian badminton achieved a rare high over the weekend by winning the Thomas Cup. This, one of the best wins in Indian sport, did not happen by chance. True, India were underdogs against badminton giants like Malaysia, Denmark and Indonesia but the path to podium was laid almost a decade back.