In an inspiring tale, a Bonda boy from Odisha's Malkangiri has braved acute poverty and other obstacles to take the leadership mantle of the India U-20 rugby team.
Meet Ganesh Dhangdamajhi from the Bonda Ghat area in Malkangiri district. Ganesh has been recently appointed as the captain of the Indian team for the upcoming Asian U-20 Rugby Championship to be played in Nepal. He is among four other players from Odisha to be selected for the national team for the mega event.
Acute poverty and all other odds couldn’t deter the spirit of Ganesh who is now reading in Plus 3. With sheer determination and hard work, he managed to make it to the Indian team.
Local people and family members of Ganesh are on cloud nine over his success.
“From the remote area of Bonda Ghat to be the captain of Indian team, Ganesh has certainly come a long way. We are so happy and proud of him. We had never thought that by pursuing the sport as his passion, Ganesh can be so successful,” said Ganesh’s brother Sama Dhangdamajhi.
Ganesh’s father works as a Choukidar. Ganesh is the youngest among his seven siblings. After completing his primary education from Bandhaguda School, Ganesh is now reading in a private institute in Bhubaneswar. He is also getting training in rugby in the institute.
“Ganesh studies till Class V at Bandhaguda School. With his hard work and determination, he became the captain of the India U-20 rugby team. We are so proud of him,” said Ganesh’s teacher Indrajit Kirsani.
Notably, Hadi Dhangdamajhi from the Bonda Ghat area was also selected for the Indian rugby team earlier. He represented the national team in an international rugby tournament in England.