Girls trained at helipad in remote Naxal area selected for junior hockey national trials

Nine girls from a Naxal affected area of Chhattisgarh, who trained on a helip in absence of a proper field, have been selected for junior national hockey trial camp. Beginning ir battle against odds about four years ago, girls in age group of 14-17 years have been trained by paramilitary force Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) that is deployed in Kondagaon district of state for anti-Maoist operations.

"Nine tribal girls who began ir hockey training with ITBP acemy run by 41st battalion have been selected for Hockey India sub-junior and junior national trial camp," a senior ITBP officer told PTI.

"se girls were encouraged to take up game in 2016 by force. y study at kanya ashram (girls school) in Mardapal area of district," official said.

camp will be held later this month and girls have been issued permanent ID cards by Hockey India recently, he ded. ir coach and ITBP he constable Surya Smit said girls "can do wonders if given more exposure and better facilities".

"We have provided m basic hockey-playing gear, equipment and uniform. y have built ir capabilities slowly but steily," he said.

girls, however, rued lack of facilities to pursue ir dream of playing in national women's hockey team and appealed to Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju to help m get access to a proper playing field.

"We h re in our school book that hockey is our national game but knew nothing about it till 2016 when ITBP took us under its wings. We practise on a helip near Mardapal police camp which is only open space available," Sulochana Netam, one of players, said.

" helip is partly cemented and rest of ground is uneven. re is a fear of getting injured and playing on such a ground is difficult too. We request Union sports minister Mr Kiren Rijiju to help us in getting a proper playing field," she said.

Netam, who plays in centre forward position, says y take out time from ir study schedule to ensure y never miss hockey practice. Sevanti Poyam, team's goal keeper, said y have played in state-level tournaments but aspire to display ir skills in national league and make ir "country, state and family proud."

At least 55 girls from local area that includes tribal regions are being trained by ITBP in hockey apart from some ors in football, officer said. ITBP, that functions under Union home ministry, is primarily tasked to guard 3,488 kms Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China apart from undertaking anti-Naxal operations. 

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