Sometimes it’s really important to step outside your classrooms, your school boundaries, because you never know how whimsical and marvelous that one step could be, and how it can turn your life.
One should always have the audacity to try something new. When you feel “it’s not going to happen” or “I’ll fail”, your audacity is what keeps you going. And maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.
That one audacious step led me to play the South Western Command U-17 Girls Football Tournament in Alwar, now a peak core memory for me.
My trip was whimsical, adventurous, full of fun and drama. It gave me soul sisters and so much love I didn’t know I needed. It gave me sleepless nights where we roamed the dormitory, created chaos, sneaked into other teams’ rooms, and had peak dance sessions I’ll cherish forever.
I’d been manifesting this kind of trip. I got a chance to represent my school and live life to the fullest. So keep manifesting and have that audacity.
The South Western Command U-17 Girls Football Tournament was held in Alwar from April 14th to 18th, 2026. It was my first sports trip. Everything felt whimsical. Our 3–4 hours of daily practice, the matches, our dedication, sweat, pain, and hard work, it all paid off.
APS Jaipur was the best team. We had unity, courage, and the audacity to be the best, the spirit to play till our last breath.
We knew that we could and we knew we would. We carried the sparkle of charisma in our eyes.
I went with an empty bag but returned with it overflowing with memories.
In April I got selected. The football ground and my teammates felt like home. It had a deep sense of apnapan.Morning practices at 6 AM became sacred. The breeze cooled us when we were tired. Maybe it was nature’s way to help, heal, and love us.
I believe stepping outside your comfort zone matters, you become the version of yourself you’ve been manifesting for years.
15 girls were selected to represent APS Jaipur. Poonam Sharma ma’am, our sports teacher, became our elder sister. She was part of our laughter, our ups and downs. She comforted us, guided us, and loved us like her sisters.
It was my first 5-day, 4-night sports trip. Sleep didn’t visit me the night before, my dreams were already on the bus to that new city.
My father dropped me before sunrise. His eyes lent me his pride. I stood with mixed feelings, joy in my feet, nerves in my chest.
We took an AC bus to Alwar. The 4-hour ride was chaos and joy. We screamed, clicked pictures, danced, played ludo, and saw Sariska Tiger Reserve on the way. I felt like I was on a secret mission, to observe the world and live each moment to the fullest.
Day 1
We reached Alwar Cantt and were taken to army unit quarters. Our big room had desert coolers and the smell of fresh polish. We had lunch in the mess, played games, called parents, and marched in the opening ceremony. At night we had free ice cream, shared beds in front of the cooler, and lived army life and hostel life at once.
Day 2
Five of us woke up at 3 AM, got ready, and walked to the ground for our first match against APS Kota. We warmed up, touched the ground, took blessings from Suryadevta, and won 5-0. I played defense, no one got past me. Our strikers were fire. We celebrated at the club and secretly made Maggi in a tiffin. That evening we beat APS Fazilka 3-0. Two wins in one day, cherry on top!
Day 3
We lost to APS Hisar 0-2 but didn’t lose hope. We practiced after the match. Our last game against APS Bhatinda ended 1-1. We didn’t qualify for semis. We were sad but danced in the club, ate ice cream, and stayed up late. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise.
Day 4
We woke up late, enjoyed breakfast that _tasted like freedom, and watched the semifinals as witnesses. We tried every army obstacle, climbed, crawled, conquered. At midnight, four of us sneaked to other teams’ rooms, had fun, and returned at 3 AM. No wins, no losses. Just stories.
Day 5 – The end, but not really
After the closing ceremony and final breakfast, we said goodbye. The bus ride home was full of songs and new friends. Even a stranger aunty blessed us.
When I reached home, everything felt unreal. My body crossed the door, but my mind stayed back at APS Alwar. We left for a tournament. We came back with legends and stories we’ll tell forever.
I’m so glad for taking that audacious step because I didn’t know my life would change and fairies would sprinkle the magic of whimsy in my life!
(The Writer of this article is, Priyanshu Rani, Class 9 F Aps Jaipur )