E-Paper
Plight of an octogenarian carrom player
His passion for the game has cost him dearly. He has lost his own house to chase his dreams. But it is true that none could match the dedication and honesty sported by Ram Dayal Tiwari, secretary of UP Carrom Association. This octogenarian (85 years) player is forced to live as a tenant in his house which he lost in a mortgage for Rs 8000.
His passion for the game has cost him dearly. He has lost his own house to chase his dreams. But it is true that none could match the dedication and honesty sported by Ram Dayal Tiwari, secretary of UP Carrom Association.
This octogenarian (85 years) player is forced to live as a tenant in his house which he lost in a mortgage for Rs 8000.
This is the 'reward' Tiwari has received for his tremendous efforts and sacrifices to keep the spirit of carrom alive in the city like Allahabad.
Unfortunately, at present such is the condition of his family that his son OP Tiwari, who represented the team at state level from 1972 to 1982, is drawing a meagre salary of Rs 2400 from Nagar Nigam where he was appointed as Nayab Moharrib in the year 1985 under sports quota. "He has not been made regular even after putting in 21 years' service," lamented Tiwari.
Once a hockey player, Tiwari came to Allahabad in the year 1950 from his home town Jhansi. Developing a liking for the 'strikers', he conducted a carrom competition in the city which was a success.
Then again in the year 1966, a competition at regional level was organised by him under the New Star Carrom Club. "The success drew many known players to the club as well as to the game. Carrom reached its acme during that period," he said.
Then in the year 1971, it was decided to hold a national level tournament which further enriched the game.
"On feeling the exact nerve for the game among the people, sportsperson PSK Murti requested Bangaru Babu, secretary of All India Carrom Federation to establish state level association. I advocated the vitality of the need and thus on July 18, 1971 UP Carrom Association was established and I was appointed as its secretary," said Tiwari.
In the year 1972, Tiwari decided to organise a mini All-India Carrom Competition. Short of the required budget, he mortgaged his own house located at Bai-ka-Bagh for five years.
"But I was unable to return the amount and it was sold," he said.
Few people who had promised help betrayed him at the last moment and today he is living as a tenant in his own house. Yet another blow was received by him when he had to face opposition on the issue of getting the association registered.
Unfazed by the hurdles, Tiwari continued working for the uplift of the game in the district for years. But today he says, "No more please. I am fed up with the politics which has resulted in the downfall of the game and our players stand nowhere in the rankings," he said. "Although the city boasts of 73 carrom clubs but they have failed to produce good players and this is happening on account of the politics among the officials," he said.
Even at the ripe age of 85, Tiwari doesn't sits idle. He supervises the functioning of the carrom clubs. Only one girl is learning under his guidance and he plans to organise junior and senior tournaments on May 15. "I am driven by sheer interest and nothing else," he says.
