Once a rising star now works as a sweeper in Kolkata

In another example of the apathetic attitude towards sportspersons in the country, it has emerged that a national level Tchoukball player Vijay Das is living a life of penury in Kolkata. He now collects garbage and works as a sweeper for the livelihood of his family in Kolkata.

Kolkata: The news of once a rising sportsman now toiling hard to make the ends meet should not be surprising. But it pains when you read about this yet another shocking story of a national level Tchoukball player, Vijay Das who now collects garbage and works as a sweeper for the livelihood of his family in Kolkata.

A young man with a sleek face regularly sweeps a mall at Parkcircus area in Kolkata. It is not possible to distinguish him from the crowd. But if you have the opportunity to talk to him, you will be shocked. He is a Tchoukball player, who participated at the state and national level.

Vijay works as a sweeper of the municipality at a certain time in the morning then he works as a delivery boy for a company.

In addition to representing the state and the country in choke ball, Vijay played for Tangra FC, the second division club of Kolkata Maidan in football.

But why Vijay had to work as sweepers after representing the state and the country in Tchoukball?

"My mother works in neighbour's house. Our financial situation is not good. I took this job because I couldn't find any other way," Vijay told ETV Bharat.

There is no league in this state in the game of Tchoukball. The state team is formed directly from the district based game. Despite having more success in the game, the first love of Vijay is football.

"If you ask me to choose between the two games of Tchoukball and football, I will choose the second one. I also want to be a big footballer. I am currently playing in the second division. I want to play in the first division in the future. That is how I am preparing," said Vijay Das.

Vijay also stated that he wants to leave his past behind and wants to achieve his dream of becoming a renowned footballer.