While the world's attention was focused on the FIFA Final, something much more significant was happening in Prayagraj. This tournament, known as the Toofaan Cup 2026, was organized by the Nanhi Kali project. It gathered 232,201 girls who realized their ability to win—not only in matches but also in believing in their own worth.
This tournament became a platform where girls from rural areas, tribal communities, and cities across India discovered their leadership potential. There was a shift in public consciousness: families who previously refused them now vocally celebrate their successes, and communities that once doubted are now celebrating achievements.
Through the Nanhi Kali project, thousands of underprivileged girls are engaged in football. The movement involves 2,435 teams from 7 states, representing a powerful grassroots movement.
The event took place in partnership with KC Mahindra Education Trust, Naandi Foundation, and the Nanhi Kali organization itself.
The British woman Nathalie McGloin is recognized as the only quadriplegic woman in the world who participates in car competitions. Furthermore, she holds the title of the only disabled woman with licenses for both racing and rallying in the United Kingdom.
Due to the absence of specific categories for gender or disability in motorsport, Nathalie competes at the highest level, racing side by side with non-disabled drivers. Her current condition resulted from a car accident when she was 16 years old, an event that caused a neck fracture and complete paralysis from the trunk down.
To participate in races, the driver uses a Porsche 987 Cayman S that has been specifically adapted for her needs. This vehicle is equipped with radial manual controls installed to the right of the steering column. The control system requires her to push a lever forward to engage the brake and downward to accelerate. This arrangement allows her left hand to remain free to steer the car, enabling precise control of the accelerator and throttle.
Nathalie's sporting calendar covers two main championships. The first is the Porsche Club Championship, a high-level series consisting of seven rounds (two races per weekend) contested in class one using slick tires. The second is the New Millennium Series, organized by the Classic Sports Car Club, which comprises eleven rounds, including European circuits, and is run with rubber tires in a class determined by engine displacement.
The driver competes on notable UK circuits, such as Silverstone, Brands Hatch, and Donington. In her career, she has won several podiums and achieved her first definitive victory at the Silverstone GP circuit in 2018. During competition days, Nathalie often allows the public to visit her garage.
Beyond track activities, Nathalie was appointed in 2018, after completing three years in the sport, to the presidency of the International Automobile Federation's (FIA) Accessibility and Disability Commission. In this role, she is responsible for managing global guidelines regarding the inclusion of people with disabilities in motorsport. She stands out as the youngest president of this commission, being one of only two women to lead an FIA commission and the only member of the body with a spinal cord injury. Additionally, she works as a motivational speaker under the motto 'Anything is Possible.'
Banyana Banyana managed to breathe new life into its campaign at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations) after conceding by two goals, only to come back and secure a 2-2 draw against Côte d'Ivoire in a dramatic Group B match on Friday.
Banyana will need a victory over Burkina Faso, as well as close monitoring of the subsequent match between Tanzania and Burkina Faso, since the outcome of that game will play a decisive role in determining their future.
In the first half, the Banyana team once again faced its usual weakness when Côte d'Ivoire capitalized on a counterattack. Grace Sery opened the scoring in the 18th minute, receiving a perfectly placed cross from Nsira Ouedraogo, and calmly sending the ball past Kaylin Swart, giving Côte d'Ivoire the lead.
The pair continued to operate together until halftime: Ouedraogo again struck the South Africans' defense with an aerial pass. Sery executed her run perfectly, leaving Swart behind, and coolly finished the attack, increasing her score and Côte d'Ivoire's advantage.
In the second half, Banyana came out onto the field needing to respond, and they succeeded thanks to team star Thembi Kgatlana. The forward demonstrated a moment of individual skill, unleashing a stunning shot that allowed South Africa to come back into the game and reduce the deficit to 2-1.
This goal sparked enthusiasm in Ellis's team, which began pressing Côte d'Ivoire in search of an equalizer. Their persistence was eventually rewarded deep into the final minutes when substitute Hildah Magaia scored, completing the comeback and saving a valuable point.
However, the draw means that Banyana still has a long way to go. The former African champions must now defeat Burkina Faso in the last group match and rely on the results of other games to secure qualification for the playoffs. Although the fight shown in Morocco may have kept them in the tournament, there is no room for error.
