Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra
Mandakini Majhi created history of sorts when she became the first kho kho player from Orissa to represent India when she was selected to the senior team for the South Asian Games. And then history repeated itself again when she became the maiden state player to win a gold medal in an international event. But Mandakini doesn’t want to stop as she knows that more success lies ahead.
A student of KISS, Mandikini belongs to Ludhi Pada village of Titlagarh block in Bolangir district, Mandakini has been an active kho kho player for the last decade. “I was attracted to the game in 2005, when I was in class V. It was played in our school campus and I took part on a regular basis,” stated Mandakini going down memory lane. Her initial training was under the guidance of coach Kalandi Rout. “I learnt the basics and intricacies of the game from Kalandi Sir and he has been instrumental in me achieving success,” states the lithe yet strong girl.
After four years of hard work, Mandakini was selected to the team to take part in a national level school tournament in Bhubaneswar in 2009. She put up a splendid performance in the tournament and was selected to the state team the same year.
She performed well continuously and retained her place in the Orissa team. She represented the state in the National Junior Kho Kho Championships for girls at Simla in 2013 and in 2014 at Rajasthan where Orissa finished fifth. The following year, due to her efforts, Orissa emerged runners-up in the same event.
Mandakini, the eldest among the three daughters of Rama and Rajib Majhi, however, is quick to point out that she has found the right balance between sports and education. “My father is a farmer, but he has high hopes on all of us sisters. He always wanted me to excel in studies and I try to fulfil his expectations,” informs Mandakini. “I train four hours every day for kho kho and the remaining time is devoted for studies. So I consider myself really lucky that I was selected to the national team. At the same time I feel proud that I am wearing the national colours and it proves that there is no ‘mission impossible’ if you have the will power,” states the girl who has a very wise head on her young shoulders.
Mandakini aims to make her place permanent in the Indian senior team. Talking about popularising the game in Orissa she said, “The game will gain popularity if more players are selected to the national side. It is simple – success breeds success.”
Coach Kalandi is very happy at his ward’s success. “Initially I was apprehensive about Mandakini’s commitment to the game. But within no time she improved leaps and bounds. I am very happy for her now,” Kalandi said. “Mandakini has a long way to go. Her success story has just begun. I am sure that she will definitely take giant strides in international kho kho in future,” he added.
