'We’ll win more with this kind of support': Jubilant Odia players after India’s Blind Women’s T20 World Cup win

Four Odia players, who were part of the champion Indian team in the recently-concluded Blind Women’s T20 World Cup in Colombo, were given a rousing welcome by the state Sports Department upon their arrival at Bhubaneswar Airport on Sunday. 

The Odisha girls who did the state and country proud were Jamunarani Tudu, Parbati Marandi, Phula Soren and Basanti Hansda. They played pivotal roles in the team’s triumph.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi also felicitated the Odia players at his residence and presented a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh to each player. 

The Odisha players exuded confidence that they will win more World Cups if they are provided this kind of support in future.

Also Read: Women’s T20 Blind Cricket World Cup triumph: Odisha cricketers get rousing welcome in Bhubaneswar

Vice-captain of the Indian team-Phula Soren, who had played a pivotal role by scoring well in the final against Nepal to help India emerge champions in the mega event, expressed her excitement upon her arrival at home.

"I was waiting for this moment of arriving in Odisha. I am so elated to be welcomed by so many people at the airport and to be felicitated. We had never expected that the Sports Minister and the Chief Minister would call us and felicitate so soon. The Chief Minister has provided us with Rs 11 lakh each. The Sports Minister has also promised to set up a cricket academy for us. We are hopeful that he will keep his promise. If we get this kind of support, we will win more World Cups in future," said Phula Soren.

"We are very thankful to the Chief Minister and the Sports Minister for providing us Rs 11 lakh. We are so elated. They have also promised us to set up a cricket academy. We are very happy to win the World Cup. It's not easy to play in the World Cup," said another cricketer," said Parbati Marandi.

"We are on cloud nine to win the World Cup," said Jamunarani Tudu.

"I was waiting to land in Odisha. We are so happy that the Chief Minister met us and felicitated us," said Basanti Hansda.