Bengaluru Marathon: Siddis can race, but have no sponsors

HUBBALLI: At a time when Shanta P Dodmani, a woman belonging to Siddi tribe is set to debut in Bengaluru Marathon on Sunday, 41-year-old former national athletics champion Mary Garibache, who also belongs to the same tribe, has been struggling to make both ends meet.

She could not continue her studies after matriculation because she could not afford to pay the fee, but now she has been forced to run from pillar to post seeking funds to provide sports training for her daughter, pursuing master of physical education (MP.Ed).

Hailing from Kamatikoppa, a hamlet in Haliyal taluk of Uttar Kannada district, she served as an Anganwadi worker and also worked as daily-wager as the wages of her husband who works for minister, could not sustain the family.

It is, however, not the case of Mary Garibache alone, but several sports persons belonging to Siddi community who are struggling to lead a decent life. Their robust physique is the unique attribute of people belonging to Siddi tribe found mostly in Haliyal taluk and several parts of Uttar Kannada district. But, they failed to get proper support though they achieved significant milestones in national and international sports events including boxing, wrestling, judo and athletics.

The most significant among them in the field of sports are Agnel Nigro (wrestling) and Kamala Siddi (athletics) who won awards in national and international championships. “I have been working as social worker in a religious organisation and drawing remuneration of Rs 4,000 per month. But this is not enough to meet education expenditure of my two children. I am looking for some sponsors who can offer a helping hand to my daughter for her sports education. Several people of our community, who had represented the nation in various sports events, are leading miserable life,” lamented Mary Garibache.

Members of the Siddi tribe got good support in 1985 and 1986 from Union minister for sports Margaret Alva because she too hails from Uttar Kannada district. The Sports Authority of India had selected as many as 30 youth of Siddi tribe for coaching in athletics. They were trained in Bengaluru.

The Union government, however, withdrew the scheme within two years and many eligible Siddi athletes lost an opportunity to take part in national and international sports events, forcing them to return to their villages and work as agricultural labourers. “The government has not given priority to youth of our community though they have enough skill and ability in sports. Former wrestlers are facing severe problems as they failed to get pension. Measures have not been initiated despite several pleas to build separate sports hostel for our community in Haliyal and Bengaluru,” said Diyog Bastyanv Siddi, president of association.