Hailing from the small town of Bardhaman in West Bengal, where societal norms often discourage girls from pursuing sports, Aruna Bag’s journey is a testament to unwavering determination. Defying expectations, Aruna nurtured her passion for football and earned a place on the West Bengal Junior National team in 2019.
Her talent caught the eye of Kickstart in 2021, and she quickly became a cornerstone of their defense. With Kickstart, Aruna has clinched three Karnataka Women’s League titles, her success fueled by the foundation’s unwavering support, providing her with training, nutrition, lodging, and comprehensive well-being.
Aruna’s dedication and hard work have propelled her to represent Karnataka at the Senior Nationals twice, in 2022-23 and 2023-24. In 2024, her dream culminated in a well-deserved call-up to the Indian National Team, where she secured a regular spot. Aruna’s inspiring journey serves as a beacon of hope for young girls everywhere, demonstrating that resilience and the right support can pave the way for even the loftiest aspirations.

Battling against the underprivileged backgrounds in Imphal, Manipur, Linthoigambi Devi Wangkhem and Linthoigambi Devi Maibam have overcome adversity to become prominent figures in Indian women’s football.
Scouted by Kickstart in 2021, they joined the team for the Indian Women’s League. Their contributions were instrumental in Kickstart’s third-place finish that year, catching the attention of national selectors.
For the past four seasons, they have been pillars of the Kickstart Women’s Team, consistently representing the club on the global stage while also playing for India. Their dedication and skill were key to Kickstart’s runner-up finish in the 2022-23 Indian Women’s League.
In 2024, they returned to their roots, representing Manipur in the National Championship, where they led the team to victory.
They continue to be integral members of both the Indian National Team and the Kickstart Women’s Team, and are currently part of the Indian National Team squad for the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship.

Coming from Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, Kaviya Pakkiriswamy’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Raised by a single-parent mother, she overcame challenges to pursue her football dreams.
Discovered at a Kickstart Foundation trial in 2019, Kaviya quickly established herself as a rising star. She led the Kickstart team to victory in the Karnataka Women’s League, becoming the league’s top scorer. Her exceptional performances earned her a place in the Karnataka Women’s Team.
Kickstart’s unwavering support, providing education, training, and basic necessities, enabled Kaviya to focus on her football aspirations. She went on to win the KWL five times with Kickstart (2019-22), solidifying her status as a team cornerstone.
In 2022, Kaviya’s dedication culminated in her selection for the Indian National Team. By 2023, she had become a regular starter, making history as the first Kickstart Foundation player to represent the Indian Women’s Senior Team.
Kaviya’s inspiring story demonstrates that with perseverance and support, dreams can be realized, regardless of one’s background.

Hailing from a modest background in Bengaluru, Nikhil Raj’s football journey began in 2018 when he was discovered at a Kickstart Foundation program.
Recognizing his exceptional talent, Kickstart facilitated a trip to the Netherlands, where he played friendlies with a top-tier Dutch team. This exposure led to trials at Esbjerg Football Club in Denmark, resulting in a professional contract for 2020. Although the pandemic prevented him from joining the Danish club, the international experience significantly boosted his development.
Nikhil’s rise continued domestically as he represented Karnataka in the Santosh Trophy, contributing to their 2018-2019 South Zone victory. His impressive performances earned him a spot with the Indian Arrows in the I-League.

In 2021-22, Nikhil’s dreams culminated in selection for the Indian National Team, participating in the AFC U-23 Championship. He also signed with Odisha FC in the Indian Super League, making an immediate impact with a goal on his debut.