SIB gave a leg-up to 18-year-old student, Lapisha Marbaniang, from a tiny village, Mawngap Markhashiing, in Shillong. She is one of three children brought up by a single mother and has qualified to be a footballer in the Karnataka State Football Association Women’s B Division, from March 15th. SIB sponsored her travel, air fare and room rent funds.
SIB also sponsored Pooja Mansukhani. As a child, she played barefoot in the narrow lanes of her hometown, hoping to don a real jersey someday. But being financially challenged, she had to set her dream aside and support her family. Today, at 33, she is a logistics superviser and takes care of her family singlehandedly.
Silicans Football Academy featured SI’s logo on their jerseys at the tournament.