State Sports Minister Geetashree Oraon on Monday disappointed seven junior Ringball players who have been selected for 2nd Under-17 (U-17) Junior Inter-Ringball Federation Championship at Mauritius from December 5 to 8. Despite, knowing that the game is not registered under the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Minister had assured the players to provide financial assistance on October 7.
The local players who are to represent India at this international game include Suman Singh and Anjali Kujur in the girls (15-member) team. The boys (15-member) team includes Anwarul Haque, Satyam Oraon, Arsaan, Sumit Kujur and David Kujur.
Narrating the details of how these teenagers were harassed, Suman said, “We were selected on our individual performance in September in Uttarakhand for the global meet. After receiving our final selection letter for this game by Ringball Federation of India, we approached the Sports Minister on October 7 for financial assistance. Had she not assured us to help, we would have thought of some other alternative help since our game is not registered under IOA.”
“The officers under the Minister kept assuring us since then,” added Suman. On Monday when The Pioneer asked for an answer to her stand, Geetashree after discussing with her sub-ordinates said that the players should have come through a proper channel and now it is not possible to help them. “I as a person can do nothing over this issue. After all, it is not an
affiliated association of IOA,” she said.
Hearing this answer, the players were all in tears. Anwarul said, “Some of us belong to Simdega and Gumla districts. We came all the way from these places. None of the officers earlier told us that they cannot help us. Else, we would have approached a private party for finance. Ab tak rupaiye mil bhi jaate (By now we would have got the money).”
looking no option left, Suman alone went to Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren’s residence in the evening wherein she was asked to come on Tuesday morning and meet him. “We know that a Minister can help on personal initiative. Sports Minister did not do but hopefully CM will bail us out. The Government claims to promote sports,” said Suman.
Notably, these players have their passports but are unable to get visa due to lack of funds. According to five of these players, they are to take part in the 2nd Sub Junior National Championship for the same game in Jammu and Kashmir from November 25-26 and will be leaving on November 20 from here. Anjali said, “Unfortunately, only two days are left for managing money. Pata nahi kaise hoga (Don’t know how it will be managed). Our coach is also showing a diplomat role.”