Proud daughter of undivided DK: Mamatha Poojari

CT Interview

Mamatha Poojari hailing from Hermunde village in Karkala taluk, is the proud daughter of undivided Dakshina Kannada district. This 22 year old young lady hailing from a rural area of the district, has today made the district proud by being a member of the Indian Kabaddi squad which won the gold in the SAF games held at Srilanka recently.
Daughter of Bhoja Poojari and Kitti Poojarti couple of Hermunde viage, Mamatha had great interest in sports ever since her childhood. Despite not receiving much encouragement to her sporting interest as well as talent in the initial stages, Mamatha a determined girl, played in the district and state level and through her sheer efforts also secured a place in the national squad. Interestingly, the captain of the Indian national squad Sumathi Poojari also hails from Karkala.
Hailing from a poor family, Mamatha has now seucred a job in the railways and is serving in Secunderabad. The Canara Times spoke to this talented young lady during her visit to her hometown recently. Excerpts from the interview.
l What prompted you to opt Kabaddi itself among various other sports?
I had no much interest in Kabaddi initially. But it was the encouragement given by my physical instructors Ramakrishna Hegde and Ramesh Suvarna that prompted me to take up Kabaddi.
l How did the people in your village react when a girl chose Kabaddi as her sport?
In fact boys felt irksome as well as embarassing to see a girl from their village play Kabaddi with them. Even locals had the same feeling. But, it was not the same case in north India. In case of our villages, there is a feeling that playing Kabaddi would do harm to a girl’s beauty and charms.
l Did you have any bitter experience in the initial stages?
No. I never had any such experience.
l Were your parents aware of your interests?
For the first six months, my parents did not know of my playing Kabaddi. I used to return home after practising in school itself.
l What benefits did you gain personally by playing Kabaddi?
Most importantly, playing the game made me more bold and courageous. This is the speciality of Kabaddi. When a participant goes as a raider she has to face the entire opposite team. This makes her all the more courageous and confident. I also learnt leadership skills from this game.
l Did you face any problem while playing in national level events?
I was indeed nervous in the initial stages. But, as I hailed from a rural area, I did not face any food related problem. There was only some lodging problem during taluk and district level events. In state and national level ev ents, we got all the facilities.
l Which of your matches gave you immense pleasure?
It was the finals of the national level event held at Gadag this year. The final match was between the teams from Bangalore and Dakshina Kannada. As I had thought defeat was surely ours, I had even asked to book my return ticket. But against my expectations our team won and it was an unforgettable match of ours.
l Are you interested in any other sports?
Before playing Kabaddi, volleyball was my favourite sport. I had even played state level and district level volleyball matches. It was after I joined I PUC that I started playing Kabaddi. Even shotput and high jump are my favourite sports.
l Are you interested in joining the defence service?
Yes, if I get an opportunity, I will definitely join the air force.
l What about your practice schedule?
I practice for two hours in the mornings and evenings repsectively every day.
l Your suggestions to women Kabaddi players?
Women Kabaddi players more importantly need encouragement from their parents. In the past Kabaddi used to be played only in rural areas, but now it is not so, with the game played in state and national level. There is a need for the local administrative bodies to encourage the sport by providing grants. It is only such encouragement that can induce more and more women to play the game.
l Who are your role models?
Sachin and Anju George in sports and Sharukh and Kajol in films.
l Has your financial position improved now?
My parents had availed a loan of Rs 15,000 to enable me take part in the national event. Even my ohysical instructors and the Kabaddi associations in Mangalore and Udupi have extended cooperation to me. Today, I have to clear the loan secured by my parents.
l Your achievements in the sports arena is significant and your deams in the field have been realised. Have you any aspirations with regard to your personal life ? What expectatuions do you have from your life partner?
I want my life partner to be a sports personality like me. For, my position, needs and inevitabilities could be better understood only by another sportsperson. It is only such a person who can understand me better and repect my feelings. At the same time, he should be acceptable to my parents also.