KENDRAPARA: Last month she represented India in Bahrain and helped her country register a win. A few weeks later Alochana Senapati, a defender of the Indian football team, is seen going through the rough-and-tumble of a constable job. From a defender on the field to defending her livelihood off it, this 20-year-old from Mulasahi village under Aul block in Kendrapara district is still jobless. “She participated in more than 50 football matches at different levels and won many laurels. She was a member of Orissa team when the State won gold in football nationals in Bhilai four months back,” said Chittaranjan Patra, the coach of women football team in Aul. Achievements and hard work are yet to pay off for this talented footballer. “I practise for five hours a day and won many medals for the State but see what I got in return? What do I do with all these medals when they can’t help me get a job,” lamented Alochana. Being a woman footballer did not help her either. She exhausted all her money running from pillar to post for a job. But landing a government job for a sportsperson in the State is a wild-goose chase. “I am only Plus Two Arts passout for which the government refused me to provide me a decent job. Educational qualification has been an impediment in getting a job. But in other states, the authorities never consider educational qualification for a sportsperson while giving a job,” said Alochana.Joining Alochana in the recruitment drive is another footballer Sradhanjali Sahoo (20) of Telipatana village under Aul block. Sradhanjali represented India under-19 team two years back in Malaysia and is the face of the State womens’ team for the last three years.
Comments
0 comment