Page 70 - Annual Report

Transformative

Journeys

That’s when Ashima’s and Kamla’s paths merged.
Both of them got selected in the first batch of 30
girls to be part of the Girls’ Excellence programme!
Life at ONTHHPC is a whole new experience for
them. In addition to schooling, tuition, hockey and
physical fitness training, there are many other
recreational activities focused on holistic growth to
keep them engaged all around the year.
Ashima proudly asserts, “My confidence has
increased after coming to ONTTHPC.” Apart from
top-notch hockey training, she has also learnt basic
computer skills and improved her personality
through mental training sessions.
Kamla too has a newfound love for studies and
training, she mentions, “I’ve started enjoying
Ashima and Kamla -- changing their lives with hockey academics after coming here. And I love all kinds of
activities which involve teamwork.”
Different Journeys. One Destination. Access to smartphones in addition to the athlete
education programmes have helped them
The Sundargarh region in Odisha is known for the Ashima’s family consisted of her mother and understand the sports science aspect of the
rich culture of playing hockey and producing ace brother, both of whom were supportive of her programme and enhanced their performance.
athletes like Lilima Miz, a member of the Indian career choice. She was picked up by a local Today, Ashima and Kamla are well on their way to
hockey team. From this little tribal region hail grassroots coach who trained her for 4 years. She achieve their dream of becoming professional
Ashima Rout and Kamla Singh. Coming from was then selected into the Panpost Government hockey players. Ashima is a skilled forward and
humble backgrounds, these girls grew up playing Sports Hostel where she trained for the next 2 years, wishes to join the Odisha State Police team after
hockey in local training programmes and worked before appearing for the selection trials of graduating from ONTHHPC, while pursuing her
their way up the ladder to finally join the Odisha ONTHHPC. dream of playing for India and supporting her family.
Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre Kamla, on the other hand, had a few more hurdles Kamla, on the other hand, is a versatile midfielder
(ONTHHPC), a residential hockey academy founded to cross on her journey to becoming a professional and attacker. She is currently targeting her
and implemented by Tata Trusts and Tata Steel, in hockey player. Her family consisted of 2 siblings and short-term goal of qualifying for the Indian National
partnership with Govt. of Odisha, supported by her parents, but unfortunately, she lost her mother a camp, before fulfilling her dream of going on to
IndusInd Bank. few years ago. Her mother was the sole earning represent India. After graduation from the academy,
member of the family. While her world came she wants to join the Indian Railways and support
crashing down, all was not lost for Kamla. Her uncle her family.
10 REDUCED recognised her talent and passion for the game. She Both of them inspire other girls in their village who
INEQUALITIES
trained with a borrowed stick but with unwavering
would like to step into the world of professional
PROJECT ALIGNS determination and participated in the selection hockey. Ashima and Kamla are grateful for getting
WITH SDG trials of ONTHHPC with continuous support and an opportunity that has truly transformed their lives
encouragement from her coach. for the better.
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