Slum girl Nasreen wins national-level basketball gold medal

Bengaluru, Apr 27: A 14-year old slum girl from Vijayapura (Bijapur) studying in an Urdu medium high school has set an example on how to achieve ones goal by beating poverty with determined efforts.

Nasreen Makandar (14) was part of the under-16 Karnataka team which defeated Punjab in the national-level basketball tournament conducted recently by the ministry of youth affairs and sports at the Sports Authority of India stadium in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. There were 20 teams in the girls section.

Nasreen always nursed a passion for the game. Her father Khajamiya was a truck driver but quit his job 16 years ago after three heart attacks. Her mother Khajabi begs on the streets of Vijayapura and gets about Rs 300 and some food items like jowar rotti and rice.

They have nine children, including seven girls. Nasreen, a class 9 student of the Anjuman High School, said she would watch sports and games at the Darbar High School ground. "My sisters Gousiya and Heena are division-level winners in basketball and they encouraged me a lot," she said.

She's the first girl from Vijayapura district to win a gold medal at the national-level tournament. She would like to take the UPSC examination. "I would like to become an IPS officer," she added.

She's grateful to her physical education teacher GG Bhosale of the Republic Urdu Primary School who motivated her to choose basketball four years ago. She added that a government scholarship has helped her buy textbooks and uniforms. Gousiya, a II PUC student, said Nasreen has always been enthusiastic about basketball. Khajamiya pleads with the government for help. "We are not aware if there are any facilities available for people like us," he said.

Khajabi said she's committed to encouraging Nasreen and educating her other children. "I leave home by 7am and return only by 4pm. I insist they play the game for two hours in the evening and then study," she said.

Sadashiv Kotyal, the basketball coach training Nasreen for two years, said she is a dedicated player and has a lot of potential. "Despite her financial adversities, she has been a disciplined sportsperson. She's on time for practice and never makes excuses for any delay. Her dedication bodes well for the future," he said.

Mr Kotyal urged the state basketball association to encourage such talent of North Karnataka.