Raipur, April 2 -- When Kiran Pisda took up the goalkeeping gloves for the penalty shootout against Arunachal Pradesh in the semi-finals of the Khelo India Tribal Games here, she was relying on all the experience she had gathered dealing with challenges and disappointments that only led to making her more resilient.

At 24, Kiran is probably at the peak of her skills and abilities and has already played league football in Europe and is knocking on the Indian team's doors for major international events, according to a press release.

But this journey was far smoother despite the early support she got from her school and family, with her brother Girish, himself a national-level player, being her inspiration.

"I got a lot of support in scho...