Kabbadi is not an easy sport, says Indian skipper Tejaswini

They are the golden girls. For, not many may know that the Indian women's kabbadi team has won the Asiad Gold at Incheon, just as they have been winning since 2006.
In town after their win, the kabbadi girls - captain Tejaswini Bai V and teammate Mamta Poojari - both Arjuna Awardees - tell TOI why they should be treated on par with other medal winners.
IT ALL BEGAN WHEN...
Tejaswini: I am from Bangalore and was in the VIII standard when the kabbadi bug bit me.I was always inclined towards sports. One day, there was a match going on and I remember finding my way through the crowd and going right ahead to watch it. And it was so much fun. I loved the fact that all the players were actually enjoying and having fun together. I took up the sport and soon, I began playing for school, then college, then district and then, I got an offer from the Indian Railways.
Mamta: My story is totally different. I was in school when I was pushed into taking up kabbadi. I was into sports like volleyball (of course, because of my height), but I wasn't keen on playing kabbadi. One day, there was a match in school and they required one more player, so I got pushed into it since I was already playing other sports.
PARENTS TOLD US OUR SKIN WILL BE DAMAGED FOR LIFE
Mamta: My parents were against me playing kabbadi because it involves a lot of physical action. We get injured every day. And as a kid, when I started playing, I didn't know how to guard myself from injuries. So, I would return home with lots of bruises. My parents told me that I can't play this sport as my skin was getting damaged. To top it, we had to wear shorts and play... my family had a problem with that too. It's only my brother who supported and encouraged me to keep playing.
Tejaswini: My parents were a little skeptical because kabbadi is seen as a man's sport. Like Mamta said, there is a lot of physical action... we get thrown, hit, and injured... it's not easy. But today, they are happy to see us win medals. In fact, my younger sister is also a kabbadi player now.
IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THE TREATMENT WE GET...
Mamta: I joined the team in 2006, but Tejaswini has been there since 2005. We have won so many medals. Show me one other sport where we have brought home an Asian Games medal in every edition! Yet, we are treated like nobody. It makes me angry when the entire nation goes gaga over just one or two sports and ignores us. We also have gold medals to show... why not treat us equally? Kabaddi is an Indian game and we make India proud. But it does seem that people are not really proud of it. Given a chance, I would shout out loud saying, 'We have a gold medal too. Look here'.
Tejaswini: It does feel bad when one is treated differently. Kabbadi is not an easy sport. Anybody who thinks so is wrong. It's strenuous, and it takes a lot of physical and mental strength. I have been the captain of the Indian team for long now, but I do know that not many people know about me. I am not saying they should, but at least they should know about my achievements, just as they know about a Sania Mirza or a Saina Nehwal.
NOT AN EASY LIFE ON GROUND
Tejaswini: I had to undergo a knee surgery after I got injured while playing a match in 2010. Kabbadi is not an easy sport and it needs to get its due.
Mamta: I took a blow to my nose and had to get it fixed. These things keep happening because it is such an intense sport.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE GROUND
Tejaswini: I am 29, and I got married two years back. It was an arranged match. Before we got hitched, I was clear about one thing - that I would do what my husband would like me to. As in, I wasn't ready to play kabbadi against his wish. But fortunately, I found an amazingly supportive husband. My mother-in-law was into sports and she was looking for a girl who was also into sports. In fact, my husband insisted that I keep playing, and for as long as I want to! Of course, we don't get to meet very often. He works as an engineer in Bangalore and I am here most of the time for my training. But sometimes, he comes over and at times, I go there to meet him. Life is good. In a year, I would like to have a baby. You see, my funda is simple... I want to do the right things at the right time. So, yes, I have pretty much planned everything ahead.
Mamta: That's quite a plan, isn't it? Well, I am nothing like her. I am 27 (turning 28 on October 24), and I haven't found my man yet. Where's the time? Long back, like really long back, I had fallen in love. It was in school. After that, I have not really walked that way. Instead, I have been busy playing. I was into bike racing for sometime. Yes, back home, they are looking for a groom. I really don't know when I am tying the knot. My life is not as planned as Tejaswini's.
OFFICERS AT WORK
Mamta: I am a senior officer with the railways and draw home a decent salary. However, if you see a few other states, once a sportsperson wins a medal, and that too gold, they are immediately made a DSP. Here, that's not the case. I mean Tejaswini is senior to me, but she too is a senior officer.
Tejaswini: Actually, it's nice that we have a job, because we players are always busy with our games and don't really have the time for a proper job. That way, railway job has been really helpful.