Puri (Odisha), Aug 22: Twenty-seven year old, Manoj Kumar Pradhan of Puri Ramachandi Sahi, has been selected for the Indian softball team (senior) to take part in the Asian Championship. The Championship will be held in Japan from September 3 to 6.
The determined, Manoj was accorded a grand send-off by family and well-wishers at Puri Railway Station on Sunday. He boarded the Nilachal Express for Delhi to join the Indian team members for Japan.
He has proved his talent by playing for the state in East Zone Championship and many state-level matches.
Son of a vegetable vendor, Monoj had to go through many highs and lows to reach this level. To share some burdens from his poor father and support family, Manoj was working as a delivery boy for the online food delivery platform Zomato.
Reportedly, Manoj is now being provided with Rs 20,000 financial assistance from the Red Cross Fund to groom his career as an exemplary softball player.
