For the second time in less than a year, 20-year-old Sangita Kumari, an international footballer, has felt the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic. Working as a daily wager in a brick kiln in Dhanbad, Sangita said that the less stringent lockdown has allowed her to earn, even if it was a meagre amount for every brick she moved.
тАЬLast year was really bad, there was a strict lockdown, and one could not even work for a daily wage,тАЭ she said. тАЬThere was nothing one could do, and we need the money.тАЭ This time it is different. тАЬI get paid for every brick I lift. In a day, I make between тВ╣200-150.тАЭ She works from around 10am to 5pm.
SangitaтАЩs plight was highlighted on Saturday by the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma who wrote to JharkhandтАЩs chief secretary and the All India Football Federation to intervene and provide financial assistance. тАЬThe condition of Ms. Sangita does bring embarrassment and shame to the country which should be addressed at priority. Ms Sangita has not just represented India on an International platform, but she has also represented Jharkhand,тАЭ an NCW statement said.
According to the state sports secretary Pooja Singhal, the government is working to ascertain details. All necessary steps will be initiated to provide financial support, she said.
A state government official said Sangita should be eligible for at least one of the scholarships offered to sportspersons by Jharkhand. The official said the government had last year identified seven sportspersons and supported them during the pandemic by providing accommodation in Ranchi. тАЬThe chief minister (Hemant Soren) takes a personal interest in sport and even held the portfolio until a few months ago. A new sports policy is awaiting the state cabinet nod which will ensure that sportspersons can be provided accident and health insurance. It has been delayed due to Covid-19,тАЭ said the official.
Sangita, the second-youngest of five siblings, said that she had applied for a scholarship last year but didnтАЩt get it. тАЬI did apply, but have not received any amount yet,тАЭ she said. So she is not expecting much. тАЬLast year, the government helped by providing ration,тАЭ she said. тАЬThe people who live nearby, some of our neighbours were the ones who got together and helped.тАЭ Her father, she said, has poor eyesight leaving the siblings to take care of the household.
The state official said the governmentтАЩs priority was to ensure that Sangita received financial and structural support needed to continue playing. тАЬThe government will take action within the next couple of days. She is young, it not a job that she needs, but the wherewithal to pursue the sport,тАЭ said the official.
This has not stopped the young woman from chasing her dream though. Every morning at 6:30, she heads to the local stadium to practice. тАЬI practice from around 6:30 to 9:30 and then head to kilns to work. There is no morning curfew time, so I get to play,тАЭ she said.
