Haryana: National Wushu Champion works as farm labourer to make a living

Tribal girl Shiksha, who is a national level Wushu champion, is working as a farm labourer to earn a living as she has not received any financial aid from the state government. She has appealed to the Manohar Lal-led government to provide help so that she can play and win medals for the nation.

Rohtak: A 22-year-old national champion in Wushu (Chinese martial arts) and Kickboxing, Shiksha, is working as a farm labourer to make ends meet. Acknowledged as one of the best Wushu players in the state, the tribal girl of Indergarh village has not received any financial aid from the state government and is compelled to toil in the fields to earn her livelihood.

Shiksha has won three gold medals at All India Wushu Championship. She has also bagged silver medals in All-India-University Kickboxing championships and 24 gold medals in state Wushu championships.

At present, Shiksha is pursuing Bsc (Sports science) from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak and has been engaged as a farmer in the fields, earning an average of Rs 300 per day.

Narrating her ordeal and struggles, the girl said, "I have not received any help or diet allowance from the government till date. The officers claimed that the funds were deducted and dispersed by the state. I had also applied a job with ITBP under sports quota but my application was not approved."

Shiksha asserted that she wants to play for the country and win medals for the tricolour, provided she receives the required support from the Manohar Lal- led government.

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"I urge the state government to provide support so that I can work hard and make my nation proud," she said.

Talking about her love for Wushu sport, the young girl went on to add, "I had started playing Wushu since I was in school. I had taken part in many championships when I was studying," adding that she had always managed to play through her own means.

Her parents Pyare Lal and Raj Devi also work under MNREGA scheme to make a living as there is no other source of earning to support the household.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Shiksha's parents said, "My daughter's MNREGA card is not ready but she wakes up in the morning every day to help us. We are not that financially strong but we have done everything to help our daughter in pursuing her dream.

Praising Shiksha's hard work and determination, they said, "Shiksha has never disappointed us and played every game with full heart and soul. In spite of having tough competition, she gave her best performance. We are proud of her."