Odisha: Poverty-stricken national volleyball player toiling hard in shop for a living

Sabita Kachim, a national level woman volleyball player is now working as a saleswoman in a grocery shop in order to meet her own educational expenses as well as to maintain her family. The 21-year-old girl has been forced to work due to financial crisis and lack of government assistance.

Malkangiri (Odisha): At a time when Odisha Government claims to have taken measures to promote and develop sports in the state, several national athletes are now working as labourers due to financial crisis and lack of government assistance.

Sabita Kachim, a 21-year-old tribal girl from Nuaguda village in Odisha's Malkangiri district who carved her name in the national-level women’s volleyball team, is now working as a saleswoman in a grocery shop to eke out a living.

Sabita hails from an underprivileged family who had to take charge as the breadwinner after her father died. After her laudable performance at the district level, she was picked up for the state-level competitions. and she has also participated in several national tournaments.

Apart from being a passionate volleyball player, Sabita is also a meritorious student. She completed her Matric exam and got an opportunity to continue her volleyball practice. Later, for her graduation, she joined a government degree college in Malkangiri and is currently in the first year.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Sabita said," We are poor. It becomes difficult to even secure ration. I started working so I can contribute something for my family but I still go for practice and work at the same time."

"I am a national level medalist. But now I am forced to work as sells woman at a shop near Medical square. The financial situation in my home is not good. I appeal to the government to help me. I have a lot of dreams, but in such a gloomy situation, my aspirations have been faded," she lamented.

"With my meagre monthly income of rupees four thousand, I am managing to continue my study and also spending some amount of money for maintaining my family. Even now I can play volleyball very well. But the girls of tribal-dominated areas of the state are not getting any scope to move forward," she added.

The Malkangiri District Sports Officer, Kulamani Nihal also talked about her struggle and hard work and said how Sabita stood out not just as a good student but also a passionate volleyball player, despite all odds.

Despite her achievements, Sabita, a national level volleyball player been left in poverty without any assistance from the administration.