Mangalore: Warm Welcome Accorded to Kabaddi Champion Mamata Poojary
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Mar 11: Kabaddi star Mamata Poojary, who led the Indian women's team to World Cup victory on March 4, was given a warm welcome at Mangalore airport where she landed on Sunday March 11 at 7.30 pm.
Mamata, daughter of Bhoja Poojary and Kitti Poojarti from Yennehole near Ajekar, Karkala, came home to hundreds of well-wishers and family members who were waiting at the airport to receive her.
Speaking to mediapersons, Mamata said that she was elated over the victory in the final match against Iran.
Stating that Kabaddi had changed her life, the Indian captain said that her next dream is to see the Indian team play and win a gold in the Olympics, where it may not be introduced before 2020.
Expressing confidence that she would continue to play for the country, she thanked her coaches over the years for evoking an interest for the game in her and encouraging her all the way.
She lamented that girls from rural areas do not get the right opportunities to exhibit their talent in Kabaddi, adding that she was one of the few lucky ones to make it to the national team.
Apart from her parents, her brother Vishwanath and sister Madhura were also present, along with legislative assembly deputy speaker Yogish Bhat and mayor Gulzar Banu.