Rajeswari Das at a hospital in Kendrapara. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, April 8: A fracture threatens to cut short footballer Rajeswari Das’s dream of making it big. Confined to her hospital bed, the 17-year-old, who has been part of the Orissa under-17 women’s team, can do little except pray for her fast recovery.

However, what saddens this budding footballer is the lack of support from the sporting fraternity. Rajeswari’s family is struggling to foot her hospital bills as they hail from a meagre income group. Neither any sports organisation nor the sports department of the state has come to her aid.

A promising goalkeeper, Rajeswari was scheduled to attend the selection camp for the Orissa senior team on April 9. But the injury seems to have dashed all her hopes.

“While practicing, I fractured my left leg. It’s a compound fracture. Doctors have told me that I need six months’ break from the soccer field. My family is not in a position to meet the treatment cost. My father is dead and my elder brother, who is a driver, runs the family. Although the hospital authorities conducted the surgery without charging any money, I am worried about the payment of other bills,” said the girl from Nial village, part of Aul block.

Rajeswari’s elder brother, Deb Prasad, said Debendra Sharma, a selection committee member of the Orissa Football Council, took her to the hospital. He paid the money for her admission. However, no sports body has come to her rescue so far.

“The medical expenses of my sister might run up to Rs 40, 000. I have to borrow money to pay the bills,” said Prasad.

“Orissa women’s football team emerged champions in the recently concluded national games. Players from Kendrapara had represented the victorious team. But it’s sad that there is nobody to look after Rajeswari in her hour of distress,” said Das.

“Rajeswari had represented the under-17 Orissa women’s football team at the all-India tournament in Uttarakhand in 2009. Orissa lost to Manipur in the finals. Rajeswari had amply displayed her goalkeeping skills. She deserved a place in the senior team,” said Raj Kumar Mandal, district sports officer, Kendrapara.

“We are yet to receive written application from her family for government help. But I have spoken to the state sports and youth affairs department to provide financial assistance to her,” said district sports officer, Raj Kumar Mandal.

“I have spoken to the football association of Orissa office bearers for help. I hope the help would come shortly. However, no help from the government department or the district administration has been assured,” said Sharma.