“I studied till matric in Jharsuguda and had always been a sports enthusiast during school, always the first at participating in Running and other events. Soon, I developed a keen interest in Football, started working on my skills and made it to the district level. I met the football team, loved the aura and kept persistent with my practices. I gradually made it to National level in Football and Rugby, with my hard work. I have also been on Trekking in my younger years.
Sporting and athletics had become so important for me that I never backed out from any opportunity that knocked on my doors, no matter what. I’ve played national level football in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Manipur and other states; Rugby in Agra and Trekked from Konark to Gopalpur. I’ve been to many places outside my state and it’s been a pleasurable experience.
When I first got posted as a Home Guard, I used to sneak out many times, since I wasn’t permitted to continue sports. I soon lost my job as well as my training team then- the way I had my feet in 2 boats. I came back to my village and accepted this life.
I had no hopes to any scope left for my sport career now that it had been years since I’m in my village, with my family of three, earning out of cattle and livestock, labor and wage work. This opportunity of Sir and his team (Prasant Ku Pradhan, Biswajit Pradhan, Pratyush Panda, Narendra Mohapatra, Ajit Panigrahi) tracking me down and offering me to be a trainer to coach future enthusiasts in my field feels like a Godsent divulging boon. Now I can better drill myself as well as ten other dreamers.
I’ve already received 10 kits to practice and train the tribal kids here and start off as what seems like approaching my one dream job. I shall be preparing for my examinations soon to become the first Woman coach of the National football team. I feel very blessed and I’ll keep delivering my skills to my future students and I envision to make them the finest players to the best of my knacks.
Oh, and here’s my little girl who loves to play too and I’ll proudly guide her to become a second Tanuja!” -Tanuja Bage
Best wishes to such undiscovered gems!
ReplyDeleteThanks to the team of facilitators who have done a commendable job. Best wishes Tanuja Bage.God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a commendable job. You are a real gem and an inspiration to many girls and mothers dear Ms. TANUJA. Congratulations to team Humans of Odisha
ReplyDeleteThere is no dearth of kind hearts.One such kindhearted Ma'am has come forward to help her with a smartphone for her online training .We shall contact her alongwith Tanuja Bage over conference call very soon.We are thankful to Team Humansof odisha for bringing out the story out of this remote village to general public.
ReplyDeleteToday Vedanta Aluminium has appointed her as sports coordinater in presence of Jharsuguda collector.Great news.
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