Pugilist job hunts, knocks govt's doors

PANAJI: Does the state government have the heart to provide its outstanding sportspersons with a job that could make a difference to their lives and that of their families? Does the state government have the heart to throw them that lifeline? Sonia Parab has always defied convention and has the confidence to fight her battles.
But waging a lone war for recognition is gradually taking a toll on the international pugilist even as she continues to knock on the doors of the government seeking a job to keep her home fires burning.
When we say defied tradition—Sonia not only put Goan women's boxing on the national map, wining a gold at the 2007 National Games in Guwahati, but gatecrashed a male bastion by taking up a job as bouncer at a popular night club in Baga.
Any girl would have thought ten times before taking up a night club job, leave alone that of a bouncer. But being the eldest in her family, Sonia has been forced to chuck her studies and start working, in the bargain putting her life on the line, to look after her family consisting of a retired father, mother, two younger sisters and a brother.
After eight years in boxing, there is this insatiable hunger to achieve more laurels for state and country. However, with these trials and tribulations, her journey to greater glory could come to an abrupt end, if the state government fails to take notice of her plea for a job.