A Former Naxal’s Daughter Makes It To India’s U-18 Volleyball Team

“My mother raised me and encouraged me to pursue sports,” says 15-year-old Sirisa Kurami.

Sirisa Kurami has made the cut for India’s under-18 volleyball team that will play in China. (Photo: ANI screengrab)

She is 15 years of age and she carries the burden of her parents’ Naxal past. But against all odds, Sirisa Kurami has made the cut for under-18 volleyball team that will be playing a tournament in China.

Hailing from the Naxal infested Malkangiri district of Odisha, the journey for Sirisa wasn’t easy. She barely remembers her father, who had lived a Naxal’s life. Her mother, Chelemma Kurami, was a Maoist too. The latter surrendered in 1994 and served 6 years of jail term.

Upon her release in 2000, she took up a job as a cook in a government school.

Sirisa gives credit for all her success to her mother.

My mother raised me and encouraged me to pursue sports. I used to travel twice a week to Malkangiri. It was a drain on us, financially. But I persevered.

Sirisa Kurami, Volleyball Player

Now, Sirisa wants other girls of her district to follow in her footsteps.

It’s a Naxal area. There are many girls like me but they are unable to take up sports. Why should only one girl from Malkangiri represent India? If their family supports them, the the girls too can play for the country.

Sirisa Kurami, Volleyball Player

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman