These women kabaddi players are on a winning streak; but none to sponsor them

COIMBATORE: While the women kabaddi players with the Valarpirai Sports Foundation have showcased their mettle by excelling in national-level tournaments and winning the district-level CM Trophy open tournament, they are facing difficulties in securing funds for basic facilities, and travel and food expenses to participate in state-level tournaments.

The team comprises 24 players, six of whom are being raised by single parents. Most of the players' parents are daily wage labourers. Some players are still school students, while others are attending college, thanks to the sports quota.

G Gayathri, 19, one of the players, had represented the South Zone at the Khelo India Games in 2023. She is being raised by a single parent and plays kabaddi with her mother's support, who works as a maid. "We don't have a proper ground for practice," she said. "We usually practice on the corporation ground opposite the Nehru Stadium. But there is no toilet facility. We have to change clothes in a nearby private building before practice. During monsoon, the ground becomes waterlogged, making it impossible to practice. Without practice, it is very difficult to compete in tournaments," she said.

Pointing out that there are around 85 women's kabaddi teams in the state, S V Sowmya, 19, who represented Tamil Nadu at the All India University Tournament in Punjab in 2023, said, "We rank among the top 10. We won the national-level open kabaddi tournaments in Goa in 2022 and Punjab in 2021, as well as an international tournament in Nepal, where four countries participated."

Despite their achievements, the players lack access to nutritious food, proper jerseys and shoes. "Whenever we win tournaments, our prize money goes toward travel, food and injury expenses," Sowmya explained. "If we could get sponsorships and better facilities, we will be able to represent the state and national teams more effectively. Also, our employment opportunities will improve."

G Sathishkumar, coordinator of Valarpirai Sports Foundation who has been providing free coaching to the players for the past 10 years, said kabaddi was a game in which players easily get injured. "Most of the players aren't in a position to afford treatment costs. One of our state-level players, Preethi, fractured her finger in a recent tournament. She is now unable to participate in the upcoming state-level CM Trophy match. We are hoping for a sponsor to cover health insurance for the players," he said.

Sponsors could contact Sathishkumar at 9442738108.

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