Tribal girl makes Odisha proud by becoming vice-captain of India Women’s Blind Cricket Team

17-year-old tribal girl Phula Soren of Salabani area under Remuna block in Odisha’s Balasore district is the daughter that every mother wants. However, the young girl lost her mother at a tender age and grew up as an orphan as her father went out to work all day.

Born visually impaired, Phula's life wasn’t as normal as other kids of her age. However, today she has become the vice-captain of the India Women’s Blind Cricket Team, which recently won the gold medal at the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Games in Birmingham.

The young talent has brought more laurels for Odisha than any normal person. She is an inspiration for many youngsters who cannot dream big because of their disability.

“I have played at both state and national level. I have also won several ‘Player of the Match’ and ‘Player of the Series’ awards. Cricket has given me an identity. People now recognize me and my father. I feel proud when they call my father by my name,” said an emotional Phula.

Phula’s father Tuna Soren, who raised her alone after her mother’s death, also got emotional and said, “I’m very happy that my girl is multi-talented despite her disability. She is very good in her academics as well as sports. I have never been to places where she has gone to represent our state. I wish her mother was here to see her success.”

With no source of income, Phula’s father got her admitted to a blind school. From a small age, Phula was drawn towards cricket. Her PET teacher saw potential in her and thus started her cricketing journey. 

After losing her mother at a tender age, cricket was the only source to forget her sorrow. Today, she has established herself as a woman cricketer, thanks to her hard work. She is currently enrolled as a student at Bhubaneswar-based Rama Devi University.

“They were very poor and did not even have enough to eat two square meals a day. Today, she has made the entire village proud with her talent. She has represented Odisha in places we have never visited or will never be able to visit,” said a villager.