Asian Games gold medallist Smita Kumari shows off her gold medal at Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport after returning from China on Monday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Nov. 29: From the dusty roads of Marachi to winning glory for the country, the road to success for Smita Kumari was not easy.

Smita, who clinched gold in Asiad 2010, returned to the state capital on Monday amid a grand welcome at the Patna airport.

A gushing Smita said: “I want more and more players from the state to take up kabaddi. For this, the state government must encourage and support young talents.”

She said financial support is essential for the nurture of players.

She added: “Government jobs should be provided to them.”

This was the first time that women’s kabaddi was included in the Asian Games.

The soon-to-be-married Smita said: “I’ll continue to play kabaddi after my wedding.”

Aware of being a great inspiration for other players, Smita said: “I’ll try my best to guide more and more players too play kabaddi.”

She added: “Players must have all facilities, with no barrier in their way.”

Smita won the final competition in Guangzhou on a very close margin of 23-22 this time.

Earlier, Smita had participated in another international event.

She clinched a gold in a team event in SAARC, 2006. She attended four camps at Bhopal, Gandhinagar, Mumbai and Lucknow before she qualified for the Asiad 2010.

Born in a farmer’s family and brought up at her maternal grandparents’ place in Marachi near Mokama, Smita developed a great fascination for kabaddi since childhood watching boys in the neighbourhood play the game. There, Mukesh Kumar coached her in kabaddi and brushed her talent to perfection.

Through her career, Smita took part in 13 Senior Nationals and many state-level events. Smita always confronted her financial problems with a brave face.

She took initial opposition from her family members in her stride and marched on to prove her mettle.

Only then did her family accept her participation in kabaddi.

Secretary of Bihar Kabaddi Association Kumar Vijay accompanied the two teams.

At present, Smita is a Grade IV railway employee at Rajendra Nagar Terminal.

Her Asiad victory has entitled her to a promotion.

Moreover, Smita has also got a government job offer from water resources minister Vijay Kumar Choudhury.