17-Oct-2008 166
Orissa`s greatest woman lifter Ranu Mohanty`s desparate quest for financial assistance bore fruit on today when Krushna Patnaik Memorial Trust (KPMT) donated Rs 50,000 for her participation in the World Powerlifting Championship to be held in Canada from November 2 to 7.
Mooved by the media reports on the lifter`s plight, the unheralded Trust did a commendable job by making the modest contribution. Trust founder and Late Krushna Patnaik`s sister Nandini Mohanty handed over the check to Ranu at Utkal Karata School in Bhubaneswar and wished her success in the ensuing championship. Trust chief Kailash Patnaik was present on the occasion.
Ranu thanked the KPMT for its gesture and said the assistance had lifted her sagging morale.
Earlier, unable to pay Rs 2.35 lakh to Indian Powerlifting Federation (IPF) for her participation in the Canada meet, two-times Asia champion had sought help from all quarters, including state government, public sector undertakings and corporate houses. But barring Orissa Cricket Association, which assured an assistance of Rs 50,000, no one responded.
Utterly disappointed, the ace Orissa lifter threatened to quit liftng. However, the contribution of KPMT has persuaded Ranu to change her mind.
Out of the remaining shortfall of Rs 1.35 lakh, her training academy Utkal Karate School has, in the meantime, paid Rs 30,000 to the National body towards her visa and kit expenses.
Now in a better fram of mind, Ranu is set to leave here on Saturday to undergo a mandatory dope test at New Delhi on October 20 though she still needs Rs 1.05 lakh to make the trip to Canada possible.
After increasing her best total lift from 510kg to 560kg in less than a year, former `Strong woman of India` Ranu hopes to better her achievement in the World meet by winning a gold or silver medal.
In her previous two appearances, she had finished seventh once and claimed a bronze medal next. This time she would be competing in the 75 kg class
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