Girls from Naxal-hit area in Chhattisgarh selected for junior hockey national trials

Nine girls from a Naxal affected area of Chhattisgarh, who trained on a helipad in the absence of a proper field, have been selected for the junior national hockey trial camp. Beginning their battle against the odds about four years ago, the girls have been trained by paramilitary force Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in the Kondagaon district.

Kondagaon (Chhattisgarh): In an inspiring turn of events, nine girls hailing from Mardapal, a Naxal-affected area in Kondagaon in Chhattisgarh, have been selected for the junior national hockey trial camp.

The tribal girls who belong to the age group of 14-17 years were encouraged to take up the training in 2016.

Prior to 2016, these girls had neither seen a hockey stick and nor did they know how to wear shoes.

They have been trained by paramilitary force Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) reportedly deployed in Kondagaon district to tackle the Maoist menace.

After getting trained from ITBP, girls studying at the local Mardapal Kanya Ashram, now have been selected for the junior national women hockey trial camp for this year.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, the coach and ITBP head constable Surya Smit said," I have been posted at in Kondagaon district and I have seen talent in these girls. Now these girls have reached this stage with their hard work and dedication, but the resources are limited."

"Currently, I am coaching 55 girls for hockey. The girls can do wonders if given more exposure and better facilities. A hockey field must be allowed near the Kanya Ashram that they will regularly practice there. They were provided with basic gear and equipment and made use of the helipad near the Mardapal police camp which has been the only open space available for training," he said.

One of the players, Sulochana Netam, said, "We had read in our school book that hockey is our national game but knew nothing about it till 2016 when ITBP took us under its wings. We practise on a helipad near the Mardapal police camp which is the only open space available. We have been issued permanent ID cards by Hockey India recently."

"The helipad is partly cemented and the rest of the ground is uneven. There is a fear of getting injured and playing on such a ground is difficult too. We are requesting Union sports minister Mr Kiren Rijiju to help us in getting a proper playing field," Netam added.