A rousing reception was accorded to M. Deepika, a Plus 2 Science stream student of Annapoorneshwari Higher Secondary School, Agalpady, for having helped India lift the gold medal in the recent World Throwball Championship held in Kathmandu earlier in June.
As Deepika arrived here on Thursday by Mangala Lakshadweep Express from Delhi, the 17-year-old was greeted by her teachers, accompanied by Kumbadaje grama panchayat vice president Ananda K. Movvar, besides State Throwball Association general secretary K.M. Balal and district panchayat member and BJP district president K. Sreekanth at the Kasaragod railway station.
Deepika and Maheshwari from Ernakulam were the two Keralites in the 14-member Indian squad in the senior girls category winning the gold medal trouncing Pakistan during the three-day championship that was held from June 15.
ADVERTISEMENT
Deepika trained under her school physical education teacher Sasikanth Ballal. Deepika has had shell out around ₹50,000 with no sponsors to support her, says Me. Ballal.
“Unlike cricket and other popular sporting events, the little known throwball has virtually no takers and her team’s victory should be attributed to dedication and hard work,” said Mr. Ballal, who trains Deepika after the school hours.