TURA: Visually impaired footballer from South West Garo Hills, Klingson Marak who has been picked for selection to represent the country in the upcoming Football World Cup for the Blind next year is eagerly looking forward to the moment when selection to the national team will take place.
Marak (24) is part of the Indian contingent currently undergoing training in Kerala to prepare for the selection match in Malaysia which is scheduled to take place sometime in December.
Speaking over phone from Kerala Marak said that training was going on in full swing and that he was hopeful of being selected to the national team.
Marak, who hails from Rongsepgre Village of South West Garo Hills, is the son of Subendro Rema and Jenmi Marak who are both farmers. He is also a former pupil of the Montfort Centre for Education in Tura.
Third among his eight siblings who are all brothers, Klingson has had a keen interest in Football since his early childhood. However, it was only in March last year that he started playing the sport at the current level. It was also last year that he represented the state in a tournament for the Blind held in Shillong for North Eastern States.
An avid fan of international football star, Ronaldo, Klingson plans to keep on playing football and achieve the best he can. Other than Football, Klingson says that he also plays Cricket but has set his eyes on Football for the moment.
When asked on the difficulties he faced in the sport due to his disability, Klingson said that they were inevitable but the challenge was to overcome each obstacle.
“What can I say? There are many challenges which a normal person will never understand. But the important thing is to make the most of your abilities and try to do the best you can,” he added.
Conveying his message to others with the same disabilities, Marak urged them to believe in themselves and not lose hope and offered to help them in any way he can.
Meanwhile, Marak’s family is still awaiting some form of financial assistance from the district administration to cover the cost of their son’s journey.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Friday morning, Klingson’s father Subendro said, “We have submitted an application to the DC seeking financial aid but, we have not been able to meet him personally. We will try to meet him again today. We have also met the SP who has also assured help”.
When contacted, South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, C V D Diengdoh has also assured that financial assistance is being given to the family. He added that the same is under process which will be ready and likely to be released sometime next week.
Klingson, along with his contingent will be leaving for Malaysia on December 9 after which the playoffs for the final selection will be announced.
