Minati Baski lives in the small village of Babupur in Birbhum with her mother. Her father died when she was very young and her elder brother left them a few years ago. Minati continues to support her mother by performing all the household chores every day before leaving for the football field. In addition to her domestic responsibilities, she also works as a daily farm laborer with her mother to contribute financially to the household. Playing football with her Shreeja peers is the only solace to her ever-challenging life. However, despite the obstacles, Minati is determined to succeed in life. She never misses her daily football practice, driven by her love for the sport.
Her coach ‘Raja da’ sees great potential in her and believes that with the right opportunity, Minati can excel in the game. She is currently the best goalkeeper in the Shreeja Birbhum Team. Minati continues to win accolades and awards from playing tournaments since last few years.
The integrated mental health workshops with the football training have helped in improving her mental health over the last two years. She has become mentally tougher than before and is enabled to overcome challenges in her life. She is able to regulate her emotions better, both on and off the field which is reflected in her performances as an athlete and as a peer leader. Today, Minati along with her friend Purnima is emerging as the frontrunners of ‘Football & Beyond’ program. They are assistant coaches to their football mentor ‘Raja da’ during the football training sessions. Moreover, Minati too has taken on the role of a football coach at Aligarh alongside Purnima.
Minati's story highlights how, despite challenges, poverty and failures in life, she has remained undeterred on her dream of achieving success in life, proving that she is capable of more than what society typically expects of her. The football-based mental training, social support and counselling rendered under the ‘Football & Beyond’ program has been pivotal in supporting her evolving growth mindset.
