Get to know... Astam Oraon

The Indian footballer (@OraonAstam) is listening to Nagpuri tracks, craving chilled pani puri and basking in her SAFF win

Get to know... Astam Oraon

• Currently I am

  Back home after our South Asian Football Federation Women’s Championship 2026 victory.

• High point in life

  2022. I was selected for the U-17 FIFA World Cup and captained the team.

• Low point in life

  2024. I was injured while playing for the national team. But I fought through.

• On my playlist

  Nagpuri artists Vivek Nayak and Nitesh Kachhap; and Pehla Nasha 2.0.

• One thing I would never buy

  An intoxicant.

• Last thing I ordered online

  Shower gel.

• Advice I’d give my 18-year-old self

  Believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to learn new things; we learn from our mistakes

• My favourite subject in school

  Social science.

• I’d swipe right on

  Honesty.

• My secret skill is

  I can cook really well.

• A superpower I wish I had

  I wish I could fly so I could get anywhere instantly.

• My favourite Sunday memory

  At hostel, I used to go out with friends and eat chilled spicy pani puri.

• My plans for next Sunday

  Spending time with friends; it’s been a long time since I met them.

• My most star-struck moment

  Meeting Puja Lakra, Global Tribal Queen India 2022, from Ranchi, Jharkhand.

• My favourite bad habit

  I love to sleep.

• If I could travel forward in time

  I’d want to glimpse my future to see the paths I’ve taken, the person I’ve become, and the dreams I’ve made real.

• The best thing about fame

  The roar of spectators filling the ground, match after match, lifting us with their cheers.

• The worst thing about fame

  Endless texts on social platforms and strangers asking, Where are you from?