A debutant at 52!

PATNA: Forty-eight is not exactly the age to start playing any sport at a competitive level, but for Manipur's K Ibeyaima Devi, it's proved to be an escape route for all her health problems.
Ibeyaima, a widow with four children, suffers from severe rash allergy on her breasts and has even undergone two surgeries to remove the pimple-like formations. Local doctors advised her to start exercising or playing, as they believed the sweat therapy would stop the frequent occurrence of rashes.
Shortly after undergoing her first surgery in 1999, she started off by trying her hand at badminton as part of a fitness regimen.By the time she was due for her second surgery in early 2005, Ibeyaima realised she didn't have the stamina to continue playing the sport.
That's when she switched on to table tennis and for the past four years, Ibeyaima has not only been playing the sport to keep her health-related issues at bay, but she has also been a regular participant at all the local and district events. In fact, her performance has been so consistent that she is currently the 7th-ranked paddler in her state.
With the junior lot ranked above her deciding to compete in the National School Games currently in progress in Chandigarh, Ibeyaima got a lucky break when she was selected to represent Manipur in the team championships. Excited at making her debut inthe Nationals. "Although I stand no chance against these girls, I'm loving every minute of the competition," she says.
Manipur Table Tennis Association secretary Chandra Sharma says Ibeyaima deserved to be part of the state team. "She's very interested in the sport and takes part in all the local and district events. She has been very consistent which is why we gave her this opportunity," Sharma said.