Smita’s next goal is olympics

PATNA: Conquering Olympics is the next goal of Smita Kumari, one of the members of the gold medal winning women’s Kabaddi team in the Asian Games 2010 held at Guangzhou recently.

Smita, who hails from a small village Maranchi, about 100 km from Patna, has taken no formal training in Kabaddi. Even her coach Mukesh Kumar, who has been her inspiration, is not a certified trainer. Speaking about her struggle, she said: “It was the support of my maternal grandmother and coach that I am able to represent my country on such a big platform.”

She said that being a girl is not a weakness; to achieve success what is needed is hard work and self-belief.

Recalling the break for the Asian Games, 24-year-old Smita told TOI: “It was no easy job; after playing for 11 years in senior national team, I got this opportunity.” She has also been the captain of Bihar Kabaddi team for a long time and won laurels for the state and country as an outstanding Kabaddi player.

Smita has done her graduation from GD College, Begusarai, and is currently posted in the electrical department in group D category at Rajendra Nagar Railway Terminal in Patna.

She would like the Bihar government to be a bit more encouraging like other states and provide more support for the upcoming talents, so that their road to success becomes smoother. “I want to play more and work to make Kabaddi more popular at the national level,” she added.

Smita was here to receive an award from the state government. Bihar’s culture minister Sukhda Pandey honoured her by presenting a memento and bouquet.

Speaking on this occasion, the minister said that Smita has brought pride to Bihar, and promised her that she will work for the upliftment of sport in the state.

She was also felicitated at a simple function held at the Rajendra Nagar Terminal Coaching complex. According to Danapur rail division PRO R K Singh, the Sports Association of East Central Railway (ECR) honoured her by presenting a memento and shawl in recognition of her outstanding performance at the Asian Games.

Read more: Smita’s next goal is olympics – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Smitas-next-goal-is-olympics/articleshow/7031705.cms#ixzz175J3JNkE