In a proud moment for Odisha, four women cricketers from the state—members of the Indian team that clinched the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind last week—were honoured by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Bhubaneswar on December 1. The players, all from humble backgrounds, were recognised for their remarkable achievement that has put both Odisha and India under a global spotlight.
Phula Soren, Basanti Hansda, Jamuna Rani Tudu and Parbati (Parvati) Marndi were given a warm reception at the city airport before meeting the chief minister, who presented each of them with a cash award of ₹11 lakh. Soren and Hansda had played pivotal roles in the final and semi-final respectively, with match-winning performances that earned them player-of-the-match honours.
Before appreciating their journey, the chief minister expressed the pride felt across Odisha. Majhi said the team’s achievement has elevated the state’s standing in Indian sport, “It is a matter of pride for Odisha as this feat has brought the state into national focus in sports.”
He then emphasised the dedication behind their success, “You are the pride of the country.” Later, reflecting on their larger impact, Majhi added more praise during the felicitation ceremony, “…through sheer commitment and hard work, they have brought glory to the nation and the state.”
The Indian team had defeated Nepal by seven wickets in the final held in Colombo, lifting the maiden title of the Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind. For Odisha’s four representatives, the victory was the culmination of years of struggle, training, and immense grit.
Speaking on behalf of the group, vice-captain Phula Soren expressed joy after receiving the state’s recognition, “We are elated by the warm welcome. With good infrastructure, we can win more World Cups. The government has promised to set up a cricket academy for the blind.”
Another team member, Parvati Marndi, expressed her gratitude with heartfelt simplicity, “This is a rare opportunity, and God has been kind to us.”
Despite their accomplishments, the personal journeys of the four players have been marked by hardship. Phula, Basanti and Parbati come from families where parents work as daily wagers, while Jamuna’s parents rely on agriculture for sustenance. Only Jamuna has secured employment—she was appointed as a junior assistant in the education department last year under the sports recruitment scheme. The other three are yet to receive government jobs.
Their cricketing talent was first identified by the headmasters of their respective schools, and their rise was nurtured by the Cricket Association for the Visually Impaired (CAVI), Odisha. Parbati made her India debut in 2022, while the other three have been representing the national team since 2019.
During the interaction, CAVI-Odisha president Md Jafar Iqbal appealed to the state government to provide job opportunities to the three unemployed players. He emphasised their challenging backgrounds and unwavering commitment to the sport.
Sports and youth services minister Suryabanshi Banshi Suraj, along with department commissioner-cum-secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, was present during the felicitation. Suraj assured that the state would continue to assist the players in their sporting careers.
(Quotes sourced from The Telegraph)
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