Biratnagar, March 18 -- National team defender Hira Kumari Bhujel has proved dedication and hard work ultimately pays off, working her way to the national women's football team despite her humble background.

The 23-year-old, a key member of Nepali women's team, started toying with 'football' since she was 14. Like most other kids in the village she used to kick the socks-made-ball. The next year she was in the district team of Dhanusha where she donned the boots for the first time.

The same year she was selected to represent Central Region in the sixth National Games held in Dhangadhi in 2012. She broke into the national team making debut for Nepal during the 2016 South Asian Games in India. Ever since she has been an integral part of t...