Beginning her tryst with hockey as any other tribal girl or boy at Bandgao in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district as a 12-year-old, Soy's first tasted victory when she won a local 'Khashi' tournament (a goat for the winning team) before she elevated to bigger meets.
"During picnics we all had it," Soy said sheepishly when asked whether she participated in the feast after winning the 'Khashi' tournaments -- traditionally a popular one in villages, and many national and international players rose playing those tournaments.
"I am extremely happy as I never expected that such a felicitation was awaiting me when I used to play with bamboo sticks," Soy said after Jharkhand government gave her Rs 5 lakh on Friday and Hockey Jharkhand rewarding her with Rs 51,000 today for helping India win the bronze medal in the Women's Junior World Cup.