American midfielder Mia Bhuta wants to flaunt her ‘Indian heritage’ as she is set to fulfil her childhood dream of playing in a World Cup and that too against the country where her father was born and brought up. (More Football News)
A key player of the USA team which begins their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022♐ campaign against India in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, Mia says she would be happy if she can inspire the young girls of the host country to take up football.
✱Mia became the first-ever player of Indian descent to represent the US women’s national team in a World Cup. “It is truly special for me to be here. My father was born here in India. He grew up in Rajkot in Gujarat.
♕“When he was 16, he came to USA to pursue his passion for tennis and to get better education,” Mia said at the pre-match press conference. “I have been to India a few times before. My grandparents still live here in India.
൲“The Indian culture has influenced me a lot. I am very proud of my heritage,” said the 16-year-old. Mia is one of the most experienced players of the USA team in this age-group as she has been capped 10 times for the U-17 national team. She has also worn the captain's armband earlier.
💙“I am super excited, especially because I am going to play against India. To play in the World Cup has been my dream every since I was young. I think India will be a great opponent.
🍸“I know Indian culture. I really hope that my team and the Indian team can inspire the young girls in this country to take up to football. I want them to dream big and think that nothing is beyond reach if they worked hard. I have seen how much these girls have potential to do well.”
🥀A talented player, Mia now lives at Mt Lebanon, a suburb of Pittsburg and plays for Internationals
