World Cup-Winning Daughter of Assam, Uma Chetri, Neglected by Her Homeland: Only Gorkha Students’ Union Extends Welcome at Airport

Staff Reporter, Guwahati, 7 November 2025:Amid nationwide celebrations following the Indian women’s cricket team’s historic first-ever ODI World Cup victory over South Africa, the indifference shown by her home state towards Assam’s daughter, Uma Chetri, has sparked sharp criticism. Uma Chetri, the first World Cup-winning cricketer from the Northeast, landed at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Friday morning, but no government official or representative from any sports organization was present to welcome her. Only a small delegation from the Gorkha Students’ Union greeted her with flower bouquets.Hailing from a modest family in Sonitpur district, Assam, Uma Chetri made her ODI international debut during this very World Cup. In the final at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Harmanpreet Kaur’s Team India defeated South Africa to bring home the historic trophy. Along with her teammates, Uma was showered with praise from people across the country.On November 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a special felicitation event in Delhi, where Uma Chetri was invited alongside Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, and other players. The Prime Minister met Uma personally, praised her performance, and expressed his respect for Assam. Prominent sports personalities also honored the Team India members. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) included Uma Chetri in the ‘C’ category of its annual central contract list, marking a significant milestone in her career.Yet, despite all this success and recognition, Uma’s arrival in Assam seemed to go unnoticed. No official from the Assam Cricket Association, government representative, or any other organization was present at the airport to receive her. The world-conquering cricketer had to head home like an ordinary passenger. The only warm welcome came from members of the Gorkha Students’ Union, who greeted her with garlands and congratulatory banners.After the incident was reported in the media, it triggered strong reactions on social media. Many criticized the Assam government and sports bodies for their apathy. Nevertheless, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal took to social media to congratulate Uma Chetri, writing: “Assam’s daughter Uma Chetri has brought glory to the state by winning the World Cup. We are all proud of her achievement.”This episode of neglect has once again raised the question: why are athletes who achieve success on the global stage not given due honor in their homeland? For Assam’s sporting world, Uma has now become a source of inspiration, yet a glaring void was evident in the way she was welcomed.