Fate deals destitute boxers a blow

JHAPA, Sept 24: Medals and certificates adorn Jutin Hemram’s modest house in the backwaters of Jhapa. A resident of Jyamirgadhi-2, Santhal Basti, the national boxing player Jutin has won two gold medals in national boxing championship. He also is the proud owner of dozens of gold medals which he won in several district and regional level matches. [break]



Unfortunately, the boxing talent had to forgo his passion owing to his poor financial condition. He works as a daily wage laborer to eke out a living. “Medals and certificates do not buy me food,” said 24 year old Hemram. “I work as laborer in tea gardens to make ends meet.”



Seven other boxers in the village share a similar story. Four of them have proven their métier in the national level games, while two of them have participated in the regional games. “We are unable to play despite our passion for the game,” said Tudu Santhal who won a bronze in the Fifth National Games held some six months ago.



Jutin had won gold in 45 kg category in the Fifth National Games. “If I get an opportunity to be trained, I have the courage to win the bout every time,” claimed Hemram, who was found grazing buffalo in the field. “But we are unable to play as we have to work as laborers to feed our family.”







Hemram’s younger sister Surajmuni is also a national boxing player. However, her sports career is uncertain as long as she is deprived of opportunities to hone her skills. Other players including Bhawesh Murmu, Bojal Tudu, Durgee Murmu and Hari Rajbanshi were also the participants of the Fifth National Games. Their performances were remarkable despite short-term preparations, said Jhapa District Sports Development Committee president Dilliram Ghimire.



“They displayed remarkable skills during a few hours of practice after their work. If they got proper training, the players will give many international players a run for their money,” Ghimire said.



“We were able to hone our skills just by playing among ourselves,” said Bhawesh who remembers punching sand filled sack, “But I don’t think playing boxing is practical for us anymore.” All the players in the village are in their early 20s. The youths who shot to fame as national players are school dropouts and have no hopes of getting respectable jobs.



“We don’t have academic degrees and connections,” Sushila Murmu of the same village, who participated in the national weightlifting games, said. “So we don’t have an alternative but to work as waged laborers. We were promised jobs in the police and the army, but nothing has materialized so far,” she added.

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