7th Jul 2017 10:07:PM State
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jul 7:It is difficult to describe the suffering and plight of majority of sportspersons in pursuing their dreams in our state. And proving this is the case of veteran sportsperson, mother of three, Paklu Taipodia, who is presently running from pillar to post seeking financial assistance to participate in two separate mega weightlifting championship events scheduled to take place in South Korea and Mongolia.

Taipodia who was born in Likabali, started her career in 1998 and was trained by a retired army officer. She stepped into the world of women body building at the age of 18 and won the Women Physique championship in the year 2015 at state level and in the same year she won Satish Sagar classics women Body building championship held in Karnataka in her initial days.

In a span of two years from 2015-16, Taipodia won many coveted titles in both regional and national level, which includes Miss India Women Body builder (2016), where she secured 4th position and won twice the Eastern India Women Sports Physique title held in Assam in 2017 and 1998.

 She was recently selected by Indian Body building Federation to participate with the Indian team in the ensuing 51st Asian body building and Physique Sports Championship to be held at Seoul, South Korea under above 55kg category and another one in Mongolia.

"Exercising day and night never deterred my aspirations to fulfill my dreams, but the lack of support or empathy occasionally does demoralize me and even the government has not helped us,” rued Taipodia while interacting with reporters at Press Club this afternoon.

"I have tried everything within my capacity to fill the financial gap, but I soon realized that without adequate funds I won't be able to participate in the event. I moved from pillar to post but in vain,” she added.

According to Taipodia, there were reports to confer her with the prestigious state award on Republic Day this year, but in the last moment her name was pulled off from the list of awardees, reasons best known to authorities.

 “The Chief Minister as well as the Governor had invited me many times and assured to provide full support in my endeavour to become one of the best woman weightlifter from the state. I have even approached sports fraternity for financial support, after my selection, but my pleas have gone in vain as there is no one to sponsor me.  Even the government has failed to fulfill its promise,” added Taipodia.

"It is sad that despite my hard work, the government as well as sports authorities are not realizing the contribution we sportspersons bring for the state. Even the federation refused to extend monetary support,” she claimed.

While dwelling on the plight of struggling sportspersons like her, Taipodia questioned the sports scenario especially in a state like Arunachal, where there are lots of sports talents, but lack of proper support from the government often compelling them to give up their profession.

“I will not blame the middle class parents for not encouraging their children to take up sports as a career. Due to apathy of government towards sportspersons, the upcoming generation who belongs to poor sections must have courage to choose sports as career option,” she added.

Asserting that she needs a minimum 15 lakhs to begin training including the fees for coaches and assistance, lodging charges etc., she said that otherwise she will be compelled to step out of the competition.

Taipodia, presently working as LDC in the forest department since last 16 years under sports quota is also expecting a promotion.


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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