Kuarmunda, June 11: A woman footballer named Guddi Tirky who was once upon a time, a rising star for Team Odisha is now working at a filling station at Kuarmunda under Sundergarh district.

She is filling fuel to vehicles in order to feed her poverty stricken family working as a fuel provider in a local petrol pump.

Guddi, the youngest daughter to Joseph Tirky and Chanda who is a native of Haladia Dafei village under Biramitrapur block is now struggling  with poverty despite being a national level football striker.

Guddi was keen to football since her childhood. Apart from it, she was very good at sports and athletics during her high school career. In the year 2006, Guddi practiced football as her favorite game and famed as a good striker. Gradually she excelled in Centre forward, back and an all rounder within a few years.

Discovering her inner talent, Guddi was offered inter school football meets and achieved pride for the school. Meanwhile, her frequent success in the district level matches brought opportunity to participate in the state level contests.

In 2016, she played in the All India Football Championship held at Jabalpur and performed well. Adding her strength with the team, Odisha got the third position. However, her study discontinued after secondary examination. On the other hand, she got no scope to groom as a footballer or higher secondary studies due to lack of financial support.       

Right now, Guddi is far away from the track and even from her higher education for getting no support from the poor parents. At the same time, she has been knocked out from getting a small job by virtue of the provision for the national level sportsmen.

‘I had attended an interview for a small government job after intimation from the employment office. However, my candidature got rejected as my age clocked 30’, said Guddi.