In a corner bed of the Sports Authority of India's physiotherapy centre in Bhopal lay a 15-year-old girl undergoing compression after a rigorous on-field session earlier in the morning, perhaps contemplating the next fiery shot off her hockey stick that would set the goalpost ablaze and place a gold medal around her neck. At an age where most teenagers still grapple with the idea of what they aspire to be, Nausheen Naz is fixated on one target -- making it to the final list of players who will represent India at the Women's Under-18 Junior Asia Cup.

The story of Nausheen, hailing from Seoni district in Madhya Pradesh, is one of overcoming one adversity after another through her grit and sweat to reach the MP State Women's Hockey Academy in Gwalior and eventually earn a shot to represent the country at next month's tournament in Japan.

The daughter of a daily-wage earner, Ahfaz Khan, her mornings did not begin with privilege, but with uncertainty -- of income, opportunity and the predicament of whether tomorrow would be any easier than today. Yet, somewhere between worn-out shoes and a borrowed, broken hockey stick, she found a purpose strong enough to outgrow her circumstances.

Today, on the grounds of the SAI centre in Bhopal, she dribbles the ball with her stick not just for herself, but for every sacrifice her parents made that brought her here -- be it the long days her father spent under the sun, the silent compromises at home, or the resilience of her extended family. She has fought (and continues to fight) these battles with resilience.

Nausheen's father, Ahfaz, moved to Seoni city 22 years ago from Vijaypalipur village in the same district. Nausheen has six siblings -- Rehana Naz (23), Ashfiya Naz (20), Tahur (17), Tabarika Naz (12), Ajmal (10), and Bilal Khan (7). Of these, four play hockey -- Tahur, Nausheen, Tabarika, and Ajmal. Among these four, Nausheen and Tabarika are in the Gwalior hockey academy.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi while undergoing therapy for a stretched muscle, Nausheen recalled her early days and introduction to hockey. Her journey started at the age of nine when -- inspired by her older sister, Tahur (now 17) -- she picked up a hockey stick for the first time. She would play the sport with the local boys of her neighbourhood.

"My sister and I started playing with the boys in our neighbourhood as a normal sport. Back then, I always wanted to play cricket. Tahur had already been selected in the MP State Women’s Hockey Academy in Gwalior. Since she was already playing hockey, my father suggested that I should also take up the same game that Tahur is playing. That's how I picked hockey over cricket, and since then there has been no looking behind," she said.

When Nausheen started playing hockey, she didn't have a stick to play with, and obviously no kit. It was a broken hockey stick given by one of the boys that became the first stick of her life. She shared that hockey stick with her sister.

"Initially, both my sister and I would play with borrowed sticks. Later, one of the boys gave us his broken stick -- it was in two pieces. My father joined it by using screws and then taped it. My sister and I shared that stick. A hockey stick, shoes, and the whole kit are very expensive. Obviously, we didn't have that kind of money. But I was still happy playing with my broken stick, for it's that stick that has brought me where I am today," she reflected.

Today, she has a kit of her own courtesy of the hockey academy. However, the broken hockey stick remains her most favourite, even though she doesn't have it with her any more. "It was my first stick; it has to be special."

Nausheen's journey, however, was not without interruptions. She continued playing hockey but also gave it up for a brief period when she was around 10 years old. "My father used to sell vegetables at that time. Since my brother, Ajmal (now 10 years old), was younger, I decided to help my father in his work. I stopped playing the game."

That's when coach Paramjit entered her life and changed it forever. Recalling that turning point, Nausheen said, "Paramjit sir saw me playing. He saw the talent in me even before I or anyone else could. When he asked me to give trials for the zonal level, I told him that I am underage (10 at that time), but he said that it's not about the age but the talent! He told my parents that he likes my game and that he was sure I would go forward in my life with my game."

Nausheen wouldn't have dared to dream big had her father not supported her at every step. Coming from a lower-strata Muslim family, the decision to let his children, especially daughters, play hockey came with its own set of challenges.

Speaking about those choices, Ahfaz said, "I don't have the means to support my children, but that does not mean I will stop them from dreaming big. I want my kids to have education and a better life. When Nausheen got selected, there was no way for me not to send her. At least I was sure that she would get a better lifestyle than what I am able to provide her."

But sending Nausheen to the academy wasn't an easy decision, as Ahfaz recalled her early days when she would cry about staying away from her parents and siblings. "She might have thought back then as to why my parents sent me away. But what we did was for her own good. As parents, we have to make hard decisions for our children's future, and that’s what we did."

Nevertheless, Ahfaz's challenges didn't end just with Nausheen's admission to the academy. He faced backlash from his extended family, yet he didn't give up and let his daughter fly. Ahfaz recalled, "All our relatives were dead against my wife and me for letting our daughters play the sport. They didn't like the fact that they would step out of the house, wear shorts, and play. None of them spoke to us for nearly two-and-a-half to three years."

Echoing her father's sentiments, Nausheen recalled the behaviour of her extended family over the sisters choosing to play hockey. She said, "My parents have been through a lot, and we, as a family, have seen many obstacles. People would question them as to how they can send me to the academy so far away? My parents never stopped my sister or me. In fact, they have always gone out of their way to support us."

She added, "On second thought, it was good that they (relatives) tried to stop me because that motivated me to keep going forward. My parents feel very proud today because with my hard work, I have been able to shut them up. I will continue to work harder and play better."

Today, the same relatives come to Ahfaz and tell him how proud they are of his daughters doing so well in the sport. Not just the relatives, but the neighbours are also proud of the Naz sisters, especially Nausheen.

As for Ahfaz, who has changed several jobs over the years and presently resells cardboard to make ends meet, he is certain that Nausheen will make her way to the national team. Along with this, he is also hopeful that his younger daughter, Tabarika, will also work herself up and get selected in the national team some day. Not just that, he wishes his sons would also make their name in the field of sports. "I only want all my children to have a good education and a career in sports, if they are willing to," Ahfaz said, hoping that his children will change things for good for their family.

When asked about the player she idolises the most in hockey, Nausheen responded promptly, "Rani Rampal! She is our coach and a former Indian hockey player. I like how she scores a goal. Her short-hand hit is the best; she hits the ball in the deep and hits it very quickly. She was the striker for the Indian team, and I also play from the same position. I really admire her sport, and it's such a blessing to be able to get trained under her guidance. After her, I am a fan of Vandana Kataria's game."

During her days at the camp, Nausheen is not only working on her skill set but is also equally focusing on interacting with the rest of the girls selected for the camp. Emphasising the importance of team dynamics, she said that knowing how to play hockey is one part of it, but team building is equally crucial, if not more.

"We have very little time before the final selection and thereafter the Junior Asia Cup. Therefore, we need to get to know each other. Team building is very important. You must know your players well. Since all of us have come from different parts of the country, the time we have after our practice sessions is when we all sit together. We obviously don't have mobile phones with us, so we spend time together, getting to know each other better. We have to coordinate among ourselves during the match. If we don't coordinate, we won't be able to play. That is where spending time with each other helps us," she said.

Despite spending the past five years at the academy, Nausheen still misses home. "Who likes to stay away from their parents? I miss them. I visit them during my school vacations every year, but haven't seen them in a year's time. I was to go home on Eid, but I had to cancel the plan due to a tournament. Now, my school vacations are going to start, and I am here at the national camp, and soon I will hopefully get selected for the Junior Asia Cup. I am going to miss going home, but it's my dream to play for the country," she said.

Nausheen still cherishes her first gold medal, which she won for the academy at the zonal level. Having scored several goals over time, Nausheen's most favourite goal-scoring moment has been from the Sub-Junior Women's National Championship 2026. Recounting that moment, she said, "During the semi-final, my team was down by 1-0. I scored a goal after the goalkeeper tried to stop me, but I managed to cut the ball again and scored. It helped us equalise the score. Then a fellow teammate passed the ball to me. I again cut the ball and passed it to another teammate, who scored the goal in the nick of time, helping us reach the final."

At present, Nausheen is studying at Gwalior’s Kiddys Corner Higher Secondary School. Her education, as she claims, is being supported by her academy. The Class 10 student takes a bus to school every day.

Nausheen trains every morning and evening for two hours each, along with her teammates. Coach Prabal Pandey, one of the coaches for Hockey India, spoke highly of her game. "She is a skilled striker. She arrived here on April 19 among the 42 girls who were selected for the camp. The Indian selectors were here recently to shortlist 24 girls from these 42, and Nausheen made it to the list. We are now awaiting the selectors to choose the final 18," he said.

As the final selection looms and the dream of wearing the India jersey inches closer, Nausheen stands at the cusp of a moment that could redefine not just her life, but that of her entire family. From a broken, taped hockey stick in the narrow lanes of Seoni to the high-stakes national camp in Bhopal, her journey has already travelled a distance far greater than the miles that separate her from home.

Whether or not she makes the final 18, one thing is certain: her story has already broken barriers, challenged norms, and carved a path for many others who dare to dream despite the odds.