Daughters of mason Kartik Oraon of Dhangaon village. Mamta (16), and Barkha Rani Bara (14) are making a name as footballers even though they are still in school.
Mamta from SS Plus Two High School is a midfielder. Her team has been fetching medals at prestigious tournaments organized by the likes of the School Games Federation of India and Khelo India.
The Indian Tribal get a chance to meet During 2019–20, Mamta’s East Zone team came second. School Games Federation Nationals in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) and Ranchi, and third at Ajmer, Rajasthan. The budding midfielder has participated in events held from 2017 to Mamta’s team also left its mark on the Khelo India Youth Games started in 2017.
Mamta from SS Plus Two High School is a midfielder. Younger sister Barkha plays right-back or fills the goalkeeper’s spot. They are making a name as footballers
Younger sister Barkha plays right-back or fills the goalkeeper’s spot. A student at Lutheran School, she played with the East Zone team that came second in Kurukshetra (Haryana) and Ranchi, and was champion in Cuttack, Odisha, at School Games Federation of India tournaments during 2019. The team was also champion at Gumla in 2017 and came third in the Mukhyamantri Amantran Khel held in Ranchi in 2018.
“I was forced to marry off my two older daughters under severe compulsions,” rues Oraon, their father. “I am now struggling to help my remaining two younger daughters become good footballers.”
The Oraons also have a son, the youngest in the family, and live amid constant financial constraints. “Even during the lockdown, we did not receive any assistance from anyone,” says Oraon, who was taciturn when asked more questions. The family hopes the girls’ talent and spirit will help the family in getting a better life in the future. Read more about these sports on our website The Indian Tribal.
