In the world of sports, the spotlight usually shines on athletes lifting trophies, breaking records, and creating history on the field. Yet behind every iconic sporting moment is someone who captures it forever—a storyteller with a camera, preserving emotions, victories, and memories for generations. One such storyteller is
Gitika Talukdar, an Assamese photojournalist whose remarkable journey has now earned her accreditation to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making her the only Indian female photojournalist selected for this prestigious assignment.
Gitika’s achievement is not the result of a single breakthrough moment. It is the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, and a passion for visual storytelling. Coming from Assam, far from the traditional centers of global sports media, she chose a path that remains largely male-dominated. Sports photography demands long hours, extensive travel, physical endurance, and the ability to work under immense pressure. Yet Gitika embraced every challenge with determination.
Over the years, her camera has taken her to some of the world’s biggest sporting events. She covered the
2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games. With every assignment, she proved that talent, professionalism, and hard work know no gender.
What makes her story especially inspiring is that she has quietly broken barriers without seeking attention for herself. While athletes competed under the glare of stadium lights, Gitika worked behind the scenes, ensuring that their stories reached millions. Her journey demonstrates that women do not only belong on the field—they belong in every space that shapes sports, from journalism and broadcasting to leadership and decision-making.
For young women across India, particularly those from smaller cities and underrepresented regions, Gitika’s success sends a powerful message: your dreams are not limited by geography or circumstance. Excellence can emerge from anywhere when it is supported by determination and courage.
At Awaz-e-Khwateen, we celebrate women like Gitika Talukdar because their achievements expand the horizons of possibility for others. Her story is not merely about covering a World Cup; it is about representation, visibility, and the power of women claiming their place in spaces where they have long been underrepresented.
As she prepares to document another chapter of football history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Gitika Talukdar continues to inspire a new generation of women to pick up the camera, tell their stories, and believe that they too belong on the world stage.
Sometimes, changing the world does not begin with being in front of the camera—it begins with having the courage to stand behind it. 📸✨