- By Akansha Pandey
- Thu, 01 Jan 2026 04:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sports talents in Jharkhand often shine amidst scarcity, but when a daughter of the state who has received the country's highest honor has to struggle for basic necessities, questions regarding the state's sports policy are inevitable.
14-Year-Old International Footballer
Anushka Kumari, who was honored with the 'Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar' by President Draupadi Murmu, is today yearning for small things like a pair of shoes and a bicycle.
Systemic Apathy: Kit Provided Only Once A Year
The story of Anushka, who is training at the Residential Girls' Football Training Center in Hazaribagh, exposes the bitter reality of Jharkhand's sports administration. According to the center's warden, Sushila Sahu, the sports department provides a tracksuit, t-shirt, and shoes only once a year.
If a player's shoes wear out or tear mid-year due to rigorous practice, the department has no provision to provide a replacement. For Anushka, who comes from an economically weak background, purchasing new professional boots on her own has become a major challenge.
Preparing For China Under The Shadow Of Poverty
Anushka Kumari is a shining star of the Indian Under-17 football team. After being named 'Best Scorer' and 'Player of the Series' in international competitions held in Bhutan and Nepal, she has been selected for the Asian Football Competition scheduled to be held in China this March.
Despite such massive achievements, Anushka does not even own a bicycle to travel from her home to the main road. The monthly expense of approximately Rs 5,000, covering school fees and hostel costs, is a mountainous burden for her mother, Rita Devi, who works as a laborer to nurture her daughter's dreams.
Pain Spills Over Before Representatives
Recently, when District Council member Sanjay Kumar and social worker Jaygovind Sahu arrived to honor Anushka, the international player shared her ordeal. Anushka revealed that her biggest fear during practice is her shoes tearing, as her family does not have the financial means to buy a second pair.
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The representatives present assured her that a bicycle and shoes would be made available soon, stating that such talents are the country's heritage and supporting them is the responsibility of both society and the government.
The Big Question: Is An Award Enough?
If a player preparing to wave the tricolor on an international stage is struggling with a monthly expense of Rs 5,000 and worn-out shoes, it is a dark spot on the functioning of the sports department. When attempts were made to contact the District Sports Officer regarding this matter, he did not even deem it necessary to answer the call.