Ranchi, May 3: Vinod Patra is a demoralised man today.

Patra is the only powerlifter from Jharkhand to secure a place in the Indian team, which is scheduled to take part at the World Bench Press Powerlifting Championships in Hungary.

But the player, a member of the Jharkhand Powerlifting Association (JPA), may not be able to go, as the association has not received any financial assistance from the state government.

This is not the first time that Patra has not been able to participate in an international event. He was selected in the Indian team last year to take part in the World Championships in the US. But the trip was cancelled because the JPA faced a financial crisis.

Patra, an employee of the income-tax department, is not sure what will happen to his career this year.

?It?s really frustrating. We keep on practising until the last minute, only to find out that we can?t go because we aren?t getting any financial support from the government,? he rues.

The powerlifter, who is in the 56-kg category, has asked the sports department and his employer for funds.

?But nothing has been confirmed until now,? he laments.

The championships this year will take place in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, from May 24 to 28.

Patra?s story is not an isolated example for the JPA, which has produced players of an international level.

?Patra?s story is an example of how pathetic our financial condition has become,? says JPA secretary and ace powerlifter Indrajeet Singh .

The association used to receive funds from the government when Jharkhand was a part of Bihar, with which the athletes used to take part in various championships. But the funds stopped after Jharkhand was formed.

The sports department sources told The Telegraph that a limited budget is to be blamed for the lack of funds for powerlifting.