A national-level archer sat on dharna in Dhanbad on Tuesday, demanding government aid to purchase a compound bow.
A cobbler's daughter in Digwadih, 16-year-old Nazia Parveen has no money for the bow that costs Rs 3 lakh.
Her story is that of many sportspersons in the state, who have talent but no government support.
Nazia won a silver in the Junior National Archery Championship held in Jamshedpur in 2015 and silver and bronze medals at the state-level archery meet in Ranchi the year before. She had joined Tata Steel Feeder Centre at Digwadih in 2014, where she has been practising since then.
The girl practises on a bamboo bow that is available at the Digwadih centre.
"I have already participated in the Indian round. I want to take part in the compound round now. A compound bow costs Rs 3 lakh. My father Mohammed Javed earns less than Rs 8,000 per month and it is impossible for him to buy me such an expensive equipment," she said during her protest at Randhir Verma Chowk.
Nazia, who has a brother and three more sisters, met sports minister Amar Kumar Bauri last month and requested him for help.
"He (minister Bauri) said he would extend financial support but only after clearing funds for another national-level archer from Dhanbad Sulekha Singh, who is out of practice for months due to lack of a recurve bow," she told The Telegraph .
"So, I have to keep practising with a bamboo bow," she said. "The compound category requires a more expensive and advanced gear. I can't manage without financial aid," she said.
Mohammed Shamshad, Nazia's coach at the centre, said if given proper support and necessary facilities, the girl had the potential to bring more medals for the state and country.
"I recently helped her get a two-month archery training assignment at DAV School in Baniahir for a monthly salary of Rs 5,000 so that she can support her family," he said.
Nazia was also supported by members of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) who reached the protest venue holding placards with slogans - Raghubar Das haye haye, Rajya ka samman karo, rajyo k khiladiyon ka maan karo, Nazia Parveen ko nyay mile - and the like.
Should the state start scholarships with corporate aid to help out young but needy sportspersons? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
