Five National level women footballers forced to work as agricultural labourers

The North Indian state of Haryana has often been related to its prowess in sport, but yet another case of sportspersons facing severe hardships has emerged. Five promising women footballers are being forced to work as labourers in the village of Manas in Kaithal.

Despite winning several gold medals at prestigious events such as the National School Games and Youth Games, Ritu, Sheetal, Poonam, Sonia and Sudesh are now working as agricultural labourers.

Ritu was part of the Government Senior Secondary school, which won the gold medal in Goa last year. Sudesh was a member of the Under-16 Haryana team, which won gold as well, she was also a part of the gold medal-winning Panchayat Games team.

Poonam helped her team win the silver medal, twice in a row at the National School Games, in both the U-17 and U-14 category.

Their Coach Dilbag Singh told reporters that despite bringing so much glory to the state, they are being forced to sow field to make ends meet. He added that the nutrition they are getting will only deter their play and is way beyond the amount an athlete needs.

Ritu and Sheetal, who are sisters work as Agricultural labourers on wheat and paddy fields. They said that they are working really hard to represent India, but it’s getting increasingly difficult because of the lack of finances available.