After India’s success in getting bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian hockey team received lot of admiration and attention. However, there are many players in India , who had earlier brought laurels for the country but are now forgotten and leading a miserable life.
Odisha’s hockey legend, Giridhari Samal is one of them. A former hockey player and coach, Giridhari Samal is now languishing unnoticed and reeling under acute poverty due to the apathy of the state government.
73-year-old Giridhari, hails from Chandrasekharpur village under Gondia block in Dhenkanal district and had harboured a passion for hockey from his childhood. Due to his hard work, determination and dedication he became a part of the Indian Hockey team between 1964-65.
Later he joined as a selector of Netaji Subash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala. There, Hockey wizard, Major Dhyanchand was highly impressed by Giridhari's skill of playing hockey and he persuaded Giridhari to become a coach.
Later, Samal became the assistant coach of the Indian hockey team in the year 1980. Samal, has selected and trained hundreds of players rights from the grassroots.
Odisha’s legendary hockey player Michael Kindo was also his finding. He has also trained players like Thoiba Singh and Ashok Kumar and had later bagged the 'Best Hockey Coach' award from NIS.
Giridhari Samal dedicated his entire life to hockey, but what did he get in return from this game? Girdhari lacks even the most basic comforts of life. He does not have a decent house to reside in, nor does he get any pension for his livelihood support.
Despite achieving so much for the state and the country as a player and a coach, he is now leading a neglected and lonely life .Does he deserve this at this age? Is it not the responsibility of the state government to recognise his contribution and to help him to make his life comfortable?