Sports Stars: Section II

Prose: Sports Stars

Section II

Read the report on Usha Rani and answer the questions asked below.

Usha Rani, cop-cum- champion rose from shanty town of Subedarpalaya in Yeshwanthpur near Bengaluru, in Karnataka. Armed with her mother’s unfulfilled dream to become an athlete, she became determined and practised kabaddi at the Kanteerava Stadium every morning rain or shine. As a school child, she grew up watching Kabaddi at a club in front of her house and soon joined the club and started playing kabbadi at National level in sub-junior category.

Do you know

India has won all six Women's Kabaddi World cups played from 2012-2017.

Whenever she was not playing, she was the source of support to her parents and others at home. She used to sell flowers for her daily living and she had to struggle all through her life, until she got a job in the Karnataka State Police Force. She was selected as a police person for her excellence in sports and was the youngest in the Karnataka State Police women Kabbadi team.

She was just 29 years old when she won a Gold Medal in kabaddi. She is much acclaimed for her raiding skills in kabaddi. E. S. Sumanth, sports officer at Karnataka State Police Sports Promotion Board says,

“Despite a well-paid job, Usha participated in national events every year without a miss. She is an expert in giving leads, raiding opponents and consistently playing a prominent role in the Indian kabaddi team.”

Usha Rani is now working hard and practising every day to win the Gold medal at the Asian Games in 2018. She has also become a role model to her brothers and sisters at home and other fellow sports persons.

Answer the following briefly.

1. When did Usha Rani start playing Kabaddi? From From chool child

Answer:

As a school child, Usha Rani started playing Kabbadi.

2. What did she sell to support her family? She used to sell flowers

Answer:

She sold flowers to support her family. 

3. Find out the idiom that relates to  ‘whatever the circumstances’, from the first paragraph.

Answer:

 ‘Armed with her mother’s unfulfilled dream’, is the idiom that related to ‘whatever the circumstances’.

Short questions

1. What was Usha Rani?

Usha Rani was a cop. She was also a kabaddi champion.

2. What was her mother’s dream? Was it fulfilled?

Her mother's dream was to become an athlete. The dream was not fulfilled.

3. What did she do when she was not playing?

When she was not playing, she was a support to everyone at home. She sold flowers for her daily living.

4. Where did Usha Rani get a job? Why was she selected?

Usha Rani got a job in the Karnataka State Police Force. She was selected for her excellence in sports.

5. How old was Usha Rani when she won a gold medal in Kabaddi?

Usha Rani was 29 years old when she won a gold medal in kabaddi.

6. What do you know about Usha Rani as a sports person?

Usha Rani is acclaimed for her raiding skills in kabaddi. She is an expert in giving leads and raiding opponents. She plays a prominent role consistently in the Indian kabaddi team.

Paragraph Writing

Write a paragraph about Usha Rani as a sports person.

Usha Rani was a cop. She was also a kabaddi champion. Usha Rani got a job in the Karnataka State Police Force. She was selected for her excellence in sports. She was 29 years old when she won a gold medal in kabaddi. Usha Rani is acclaimed for her raiding skills in Kabaddi. She is an expert in giving leads and raiding opponents. She plays a prominent role consistently in the Indian kabaddi team.

GLOSSARY

Shanty town  /ˈʃænti taʊn /  -  A poor area

Unfulfilled  / ʌnfʊlˈfɪld /  -  Unrealised

Prominent  /ˈprmɪnənt /     -  Noticeable

Determined  /dɪˈtːmɪnd /    -  Will powered

Identify and write the sport’s name respectively.

1. kabaddi

2. badminton

3. cricket

4. relay race

Every person who achieves success in life has to work hard with dedication and determination. One can always learn something from another person's story. No opponent is too big to defeat. So believe in yourself and follow your passion.