Even as the shadow over the hockey stadium grew long after the semi-final against Haryana, the girls from Jharkhand refused to pack up their kits and leave.
Most of them had tears in their eyes, they were overcome with complete shock at their loss in the game. India Here the youth games are also refusing to talk to each other.
“They came here to win, but they were overwhelmed by the setting, probably the live broadcast,” said an equally devastated coach Narendra Saini. “They couldn’t even process the speed and power of Haryana girls,” he said.
“I can tell you that he only played 30 percent of his natural game here,” he declared.
To their credit, the girls regrouped and returned for the bronze medal playoffs, winning it 4–1.
For 15 hockey players, who mostly come from one of the most backward, Maoist-infested regions of Jharkhand, difficulties and setbacks are part of the landscape.
Yet, when they hit the ground they show no sign of their daily battle against life.
Recently she finished second in the National Junior Women’s Hockey Championship. More importantly, they arrived in Panchkula as a team to watch, impressed by their skills and passion.
“Lacks don’t make champions. These tribal girls can come so far because they have a knack for fighting with difficulties,” explained Koch.
Jharkhand Play The association keeps them in a camp but provides meager diet of Rs 170 per day. During the pandemic, however, the girls were sent home where they subsist on rice, salt and onions. He worked in the paddy fields to support the family.
“Undernutrition is not the only issue. I have been demanding a proper supply of hockey sticks and balls for the past three years. In their absence, they practice with broken or borrowed sticks,” said Saini, a Dronacharya awardee , who has been coaching girls against the odds, expressed regret.
Another challenge is that girls do not understand English. “They are at a disadvantage because the referees only speak in English,” he said.
Names like Nikki Pradhan and Salima Tete from the same tribal belt, who made it to the Olympic hockey team, inspire girls. The difference is that his talent was matched by the best training provided by the centers maintained by the corporate sector like the Tata Group.
But for others, like Sanjana Horo, Rupani Kumari, Nikki Kullu, Deepti Kullu and the much younger Banu Horo, it’s still a grind. Despite repeated attempts, he refused to make eye contact. “They feel ashamed of their background,” Saini said factually.
“SAI and KIYG are doing their best to promote talent; But the state governments need to do a lot more,” he argued.
We cannot push these players beyond a point. This can result in injury due to lack of a good diet containing enough proteins, minerals and vitamins. To increase physical and psychological stamina, players need a healthy diet for the body and training for the mind,” reveals Saini.
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