The Afsana of a basketball prodigy

BATTLING ALL ODDS: At 13, Afsana has helped bring a community together.

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New Delhi: Thirteen-year-old Afsana Mansuri shares the same dream as all other budding basketballers her age harbour - that of playing in the NBA.

Only she has found a way to fulfil hers - playing for her very own NBA - the Nagpada Basketball Association. Afsana is now a regular at state level basketball championships.

Born into a conservative Muslim family, Afsana Mansuris' dream of playing basketball faced the inevitable obstacles. Even being allowed to step out of her house to play wasn't easy.

"In our community girls do not usually play basketball. There is a ground here where kids would play. Afsana started sneaking into it and joining them. Finally, I let her play," says Mohammad Mustafa, Afsana's uncle.

Afsana Mansuri's name translates into the word fable, and like all fables even her life has a lesson - a lesson of inspiration.

"We were told we needed 12 players to form a team and play among ourselves. I then spoke to this friend of mine called Zareena. With time, others joined in and we could form a group of our own," Afsana says.

At just 13, she has not only passed on her talent with the ball but helped bring a community together, something that many can only dream of.