Bhubaneswar
Parbati Hansda’s parents urged her to try harder so that she could be on a flight someday and able to experience how it felt to be in the air.
A Santhal tribe girl from the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, known for its vibrant art and culture, Parbati is only 18. But even at this tender age, she has brought laurels for India, thanks to rugby.
“I have represented Odisha nine times in rugby at the national level. I represented my country in the under-20 tournament held in Uzbekistan in 2021. Similarly, I was in Nepal in 2022 for under-18 matches. I liked Uzbekistan more than Nepal,” Parbati told The Indian Tribal.
Life has not been easy for this talented teenager. Till Class 10, she studied in a hostel where she first learnt how to play rugby. At that time, Parbati was 14. “A few elders showed me how to play and that is how I got interested.”
Her family’s financial condition was not sound. “That is why I was put in the government hostel where everything was free.” Parbati’s father is a farmer.
Recounting her experience in the hostel, Parbati informed that there were not many opportunities when it came to sports. “Nobody thought that a girl like me would be able to come so far and shine in rugby. Initially, there was a lack of guidance also. But I practised hard. And now that I have given so much effort, I want to stick around,” she asserted.
Today, Parbati resides at the Future Star Sports Academy in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, where girls like her are being taught English, along with sports. “This makes it easy for us to communicate outside Odisha.”
Dibyaranjan Das, who runs the academy, said that when he first started it in 2019, many people did not know about rugby. However, times have changed, and there are those who are showing an interest in the game. At the academy, tribal players are being trained in rugby. The players are given free training, food and accommodation. Das is a player himself.
“We started with six girls initially. Now, there are 20 girls and 10 boys. I founded the academy. It receives financial support through the Mayurbhanj Foundation, which is the family foundation of the erstwhile royal family. Besides rugby, players also learn athletics and archery. Many players from here have represented Odisha in the nationals. Most of the players belong to Santhal, Ho and Munda tribes,” Das, who himself is from the Bhuiyan tribe, said.
To promote rugby, tournaments are being held and introduction programme organised to make people aware about rugby. Akshita M Bhanjdeo of the Belgadia royal palace also takes a keen interest in the game.
Das, 29, started playing rugby in 2007. As a trainer, he focuses on diet also. He would love to see more funding coming in for his academy.
Another inmate of the academy is 18-year-old Sandhyarani Tudu. She has been playing for five years and has already represented Odisha at the national level six times. Her dream to represent India outside recently came true when she went to France in June to take part in the World University Championship Rugby Sevens.
Similarly, Sunita Hansda has been with the academy for three years. Earlier, into athletics, Hansda slowly started the shift towards rugby. She represented Odisha at the national level five times and has been to Bihar, Goa, Hyderabad, Maharashtra and Bhubaneshwar.
The girls wake up by 5.30 am and go through the grind of the game at a nearby ground, a kilometre away, till 8.30 am. Then they again practise from 4 pm to 6 pm. “After all, hard work is the key to success,” they said smilingly.
(All photos by Dibyaranjan Das)
