Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday directed the Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner (DC) through a tweet to arrange for extending government assistance to family of a tribal international woman footballer, who is forced to sell leaf- plates for livelihood.
Eighteen-year-old Sangeeta Soren, who has represented India twice in international tournaments is forced to take up selling leaf plates as her father Dubey Soren is physically not in condition to earn due his bad physical and medical conditions.
Talking to The Pioneer on Friday Sangeta narrated her tale of impasse the family is facing.
“At times we (Sangeeta and her mother Sundei Devi) also have worked at brick kilns besides working in fields of others as labourers for earning money. Since my father can't see and walk meeting his health requirements also is a challenge," she said. The family possesses only a ration card but has no other cards including health or red card.
Sangeeta, a resident of Renguni village under Baghmara block of Dhanbad , has passed intermediate from a local college, but due to financial constraints she could not continue her studies.
Despite odds she still has passion for football and wants that if the government extends government help she would not only complete her studies but also work for her passion.
A member of Birsa Munda Football Club she also takes out time for practice amidst all odds, she said.
“Since a journalist tweeted my plight to CM, the district administration has called me and has taken all details of my football career,” she said. After receiving a call from district administration she is hopeful that the condition of her family would improve. Though, she still waits for actual help much needed for her father.
Sangeeta not only has represented Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University but also State in under seventeen and senior nationals. She has also represented the country in under19 South Asia Football Federation(SAFF) at Bhutan and later for the world qualifier at Thailand in 2018-2019.