Indian women's Rugby team scripts history
The Indian women's rugby team scripted history by clinching their first-ever international 15-s victory against top ranked Singapore, and winning Bronze Medal at the Asia Women's Div-1 Rugby 15-s Championship. The tournament was held in Manila, Philippines from June 17-23, 2019.
It's interesting to note that out of the total number of players in the team, five are students of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences. (Sumitra Nayak, Hupi Majhi, Rajani Sabar, Meerarani Hembram and Parbati Kisku). And it was in fact a penalty by KISS's Sumitra Nayak in the dying minutes of the match that sealed the narrow victory for India. Indian Women Rugby team, including Sumitra, have got praise from various spheres for this victory.
To felicitate the winners and talk about their success stories, KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) and KISS organised a media interaction at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, on June 28.
Introducing Sumitra Nayak of KISS, Professor Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS described struggles of her life.
"Sumitra is in the first year of graduation and comes from a poor family. Her father used to drink and beat her mother. One day someone suggested her mother to admit Sumitra in KISS, and since then Sumitra is staying and studying in our institute. Today, she has become a Rugby queen because of her hardwork and dedication," he told Millennium Post during an exclusive interview.
"For the first time they have defeated Singapore in Rugby. Our Rugby queen Sumitra Nayak has played a crucial role in this match. In the last 2 minute, she changed the scenario with her penalty stroke," Samanta further added.
While addressing the conference Sumitra stressed about her upbringings, objectives and inspirations of her life.
"I come from a very poor family, and education, equality were always a distant dream for me. Everything happened because of Samanta sir and my mother. They are my inspiration and source of encouragement. They supported me throughout, taught me to dream big and work harder in order to achieve the desired goals. Sir has given us all facilities including education, sports at free of cost. Apart from that, international coaches from different countries were hired to train us for international matches."
Sumitra concluded her address by saying that she wants to balance both Rugby and education in her life as both are equally important to her.
Like Sumitra, other four players from KISS also have an inspiring story behind them.
Speaking on the occasion, one of the players, Meerarani Hembram, said that she wants to pursue her career in Rugby and she is working really hard for that. "We get all the infrastructure and facilities at our institute but still we want more support from India for this game as we have sacrificed so much", said Meera.
She further stressed about her journey and struggles in life. "After demise of my mother in 1999, my father sent me to an orphanage. In 2006, I got admitted in KISS and since then I am studying and playing Rugby here. I have played Rugby 7 times for India so far."
Talking about the initiatives where they not only provide shelter to the underpriviliged kids, but also help them walk on the path to success, Professor Samanta said, "We bring these poor tribal kids not only to nurture them but also to give proper education. Besides academics, they are equally motivated to play a sport. We have created huge infrastructure in the institute's premises. We have also produced more than 5000 sports personnel who are now playing state, national and international level games – including Asian games, Olympics and Commonwealth. I feel very glad that our girls made India proud and Rugby more popular in India."
When asked about the future plans, Professor Samanta said that they are focusing on getting more medals for India in the upcoming international matches.
KISS is trying its best to bring many unknown talents to the limelight and giving them international exposure since last 28 years. Due to dedicated and continuous efforts, today many students of KISS have been bringing laurels to Odisha as well as India in the field of sports and games.
On this occasion, Professor Samanta also thanked all the members of Indian Women Rugby team along with officials of Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Odisha Rugby Football Association (ORFA).
