CG Tribal Girl Makes it to the National Games

Jashpur: Elizabeth Beck, a 28-year-old indigenous woman from Chhattisgarh, has scripted history by becoming the best cyclist in her state.

Hailing from the small town of Jashpur, Elizabeth has made her family proud with her selection for the National Games. The enthusiastic cyclist has reached this pedestal despite her family’s financial conditions and lack of equipment. Elizabeth has also grabbed several awards and has managed to make a name for herself in the sport of cycling. However, she is now seeking support from the government to move forward and hone her skills further. “Lack of equipment and money causes issues in training. Am I not allowed to play just because I am poor? Those participating in National Games are helped by their governments, but I have been going on my own,” the cyclist said.

She won the first prize in 2015 at the Mainpath Carnival’s National Label cycling race by defeating every male and female contender in the competition. In 2016, she received a professional cycle worth Rs. 1 lakh as an award from the then-Surguja MLA T.S. Singhdev. The National Games are slated to be held from September 27 to October 10 in the state of Gujarat.

She emphasised how, in contrast to her, athletes in other regions of India receive assistance from their local governments. Elizabeth said she will have to go to the National Games on her own money, adding that she will try her best to win.

After completing her schooling Elizabeth worked as a maid at the house of a village patwari following which she went to Ambikapur for furthee studies and earned a living working at a clinic there.