Bengaluru: ‘Kabaddi Queen’ Mamatha Poojary, is a world cup winning captain and a well-known athlete but not a household name. The Arjuna awardee with 11 international golds in her kitty along with five Asian Games triumphs has come a long way in her journey in the little-acknowledged male-dominated sport.
Following 12 long years in the game and closer to the end of her career, a tiresome, yet relieved smile is etched on the 30-year-old as she gets her dose of recognition, which has been long overdue.
Witnessing one of India’s finest players fighting it out, in a packed stadium cheered on by the likes of Abhishek Bachchan, is a rare but refreshing sight. Leading the Fire Birds team in the women’s Kabaddi challenge, a certain sense of gratitude mixed with overwhelming emotions can be heard in the Karnataka player’s voice as she opens up about her journey from the dust to the glamour.
Finally becoming a household name, Mamatha takes a walk down memory lane. “I want to give my example. I have been playing for around 12 years now and I have never received that kind of attention. People didn't know us. Women's Kabaddi Challenge is a platform via which people all over the world will know about us. Now people know who Mamatha Poojari is and what we have achieved. The respect we see in people's eyes is all thanks to this tournament.”
“We can take an example from the men's league. Earlier, we used to play at the nationals together. But now after the Pro Kabaddi league we have become their fans. And the women are also starting to get that recognition. Nowadays the game has become very popular. Children now have a future if they take up this game,” added Mamatha.
With the Women’s challenge tournament just in its inaugural season and the matches being aired live on television for the first time ever, it’s a whole new feeling for the players.
“At the beginning we were quite nervous. We have always played outdoors. But at the back of our minds we know now people all over can sit and watch our game at home. NPlaying a male-dominated sport, Mamatha Poojary & Co. have battled on despite several hardships. World Cup and Asian Games triumphs have fetched them only fleeting success but the inaugural Women’s Kabaddi Challenge is giving them the recognition they have always deservedow we are absolutely confident. The feeling is great.”
Moreover, the players have started feeling the burden of expectation. “Now everyone is seeing us and there is a lot of expectation. So when I don't perform I am letting them down as well. So our responsibility has increased as well as the pressure.”
Having won so many titles, the kabaddi team always kept going for more despite the lack of recognition. The small things mattered for these women who were happy with the smallest mention.
“Earlier people in my hometown used to ask why is a girl playing. But once I came back winning the titles they used to come to receive me and it felt great.
That kept us going. Sometimes when you see cricketers coming back after winning something, it was disappointing that we didn't get that kind of recognition. But yes, now thanks to this league we are getting our share and everyone knows us,” signed off the Indian captain.
