Hanumangarh girls volley into sporting league, to represent state
Seven girls of Silwala Khurd gram panchayat in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district have found place in the state volleyball squad, thanks to a dogged coach who would not throw in the towel despite odds.
The seven selected for the under-19 national level school competition are Suman Bhambu (13), Anita Meghwal (14), Manita Bhambhu (13), Suman Gill (17), Lavpreet Kambhoj (16), Kintu Nayak (14), and Suman Nayak (15) -- all students of the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Silwala Khurd.
Four are in Class 10, two in Class 11 and one in Class 12.
The School Game Federation of India organises the competition.
Coach Basant Singh Maan said parents were initially not willing to send their daughters to play. “In 2012-13, parents did not allow their daughters to participate in tournaments outside the district. I convinced them that the girls will be safe with me as I am a native of the same village. I used to pick girls from their homes and drop them,” he said.
The team won the 64th senior volleyball championship (women), Maan said. “The district team is winning for the last four years. All 12 players in the district team are from Silwala
JAIPUR:
Khurd. Now, in the 63th National School Student Volleyball Championship, of the 12 players from Rajasthan, seven are from Silwala Khurd.”
The parents of the players are farmers and not financially well off, the coach said. “In the village, sportspersons are not considered good, as earlier a few of them lost track in the absence of proper guidance.”
“Of the seven girls, six are also playing for the State Volleyball Federation, and last year they won silver in the under-14 category,” said Maan, also the vicepresident of the federation.
Suman Bhambhu said, “My family initially showed inhibition when coach sir spoke to them about me playing volleyball. But they agreed when coach convinced them. My parents asked me if I wish to play, and I said yes; since then I am playing.”
“I aim to play for India.” Suman Gilla did face resistance from her family, but they relented after constant persuasions by the coach. “First, my father said no, as in our family and village, girls moving out is not seen as good. But now I have support of the family, thanks to Maan sir,” said Gilla, who scored 63% in Class 10 board examination.
“Initially when the coach approached us asking to let our girl play, we were a little hesitant as in our village such things were not appreciated.
“But looking at his approach, we allowed her. At present, four girls from our family are playing the sport; two are selected in the state team,” said Aatma Ram Bhambhu, father of Suman.
Bhambhu, who owns 10 bigah land, has accompanied his daughter to some of the tournaments.
“We ensure that Suman eats proper diet,” he said, and hoped that his daughter would make them proud.
Asked if he was not feeling financially burdened, the father of two replied, “For whom else am I earning?”
Hanumangarh district collector Prakash Rajpurohit said, “It is a matter of pride that seven girls from a village are selected. The coach is providing free training and the administration has helped.”