Gritty Kolkata karate girls set sights on international meet

KOLKATA: Six athletes have their eyes set on a goal, hoping to make it big in karate at the Mixed Martial Art World Meet 2022, that will take place in Thailand on September 20. In spite of poverty, objections from family, and societal pressure, the girls have determinedly learnt and practised karate to represent India at an international platform.
But, as the day of their journey approaches, they are worried about their travel expenses, which is nearly Rs 85,000 to 90,000.
Shina Faiyaz, a Class-IX student of Loreto St Mary's Girls High School, Entally, hails from a lower middle class family and lives in the Motijheel slums adjoining the Sealdah station yard. She joined karate classes in 2018 as she wants to become an IPS officer. "Since there are financial constraints at home, we have till now managed Rs 20,000 from savings. We have approached the local councillor Swapan Samaddar's office for help and are waiting for a feedback," said the green belt teenager.
Humaira Shami, another Class-IX student of Anjuman High School, is also worried about how to gather such a huge sum of money as her family cannot afford it. Manimala Halder (39) does not want to lose out on the opportunity due to dearth of funds. She said, "Since I am the sole earning member of the family, I am trying my best to arrange the money. I work at a private company and they have given me Rs 20,000."
Hailing from the slums of Narkeldanga, Erum Seraj, a brown belt, and Omme Ruman, an orange belt, are students of Class-XI at Baitulmal Girls High School (HS) and Momin High School at Narkeldanga, respectively. Seraj's father makes envelopes at Patwarbagan and Ruman's father has a garments stall in Rajabazar. Human Care Trust, an NGO, has come forward to help them. "When we heard that the dreams of these two girls will be shattered as the family doesn't have the financial capacity to support them, we decided to help them with the money," said Umar Awais, founder trustee and national chairman of the NGO.
Councillor of ward number 28 Ayan Chakraborty gave Ruman Rs 20,000, while Iqbal Ahmed, councillor of ward number 29, helped Seraj with Rs 10,000.
Coach M A Ali started the free karate classes for girls in 2013 after the Nirbhaya rape case and trained these girls at Ramlila Park, Moulali.
Ayesha Noor, the karate champion, who is also Ali's student and participating in the world meet, said she has managed her expenses. She thinks that the outlook of society towards girls is changing and it is a positive sign.