Odds over: Powerlifter gets Rs 80,000 aid

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 10

The much-needed financial aid finally reached international para powerlifter Ramandeep Kaur who needed Rs 80,000 to participate in a tournament commencing next month in Dubai.

A former member of the Punjab Public Service Commission and city-based lawyer Dalbir Singh Mahal on Monday handed over the entire amount. A jubilant Ramandeep Kaur said she now felt that her dream to get back to the game seemed to come true. “I had already got onto a rigorous practice schedule under a trainer in Ludhiana. Now that all financial constraints have got over, I am practising with even more zeal and confidence,” she said.

Ramandeep, who is the 2017 gold medal winner in Commonwealth Para Powerlifting and Benchpress Championship, said, “Tomorrow morning, I will send the draft to the RAW Powerlifting Federation, India. I will be leaving for Dubai on June 19. Ramandeep has been selected for the benchpress event in the Single Lift International Powerlifting Championship in the women master’s category of physically challenged players.

Hailing from Ghorewahi village of Bhogpur here, polio-afflicted Ramandeep had been running a small shop selling sweets, chips and other items in her 50-yard house to make ends meet. She had been out of game ever since her newborn baby passed away last year.