Women need to ensure own security, says karateka Priya

Despite bagging a gold medal in the South Asian Games in Kathmandu in 2019, karateka Marzan Akter Priya has been a bit frustrated during the pandemic thinking of the bleak future of sports in the country.

Priya, who took up karate against her parents' will, talked to The Daily Star on International Women's Day to discuss Karate and her career plan.

"Girls are showing more interest in karate these days. Boys and children are also showing interest as the number of participants in karate has increased compared to the previous years," said Priya, who is now in national camp for the upcoming Islamic Solidarity Games and Asian Games.

"Winning four gold medals in the 2019 SA Games is one of the reasons behind the increase of participants in karate. There is a matter of self-defence in karate, which teaches how to defend oneself and increase mental health and physical stamina, so karate has been a growing discipline," said Priya.

Priya, a student of fine arts department of Jagannath University, hit the headlines by bagging gold medal in the 55-kg category in the SA Games in 2019. She was also admitted to a hospital in Kathmandu following an injury during her match against a Sri Lankan opponent in a team semifinal clash.

Priya informed that the pandemic almost halted her karate career but it is gaining pace again.

"We have started practice afresh after the pandemic but we are yet to come to the pick. However, we are hopeful about reaching a good level if we can continue the training," said Priya, who last year participated in Bangladesh Games, National Karate Championships and World Championships held in Doha.

Priya could not produce good results in the World Championships and she feels the need for advanced training aboard.

"I am a girl from a normal family, so I want to establish myself. I have already won a gold medal in the South Asian Games and want to achieve something beyond the South Asian territory like the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. To achieve the target, I need overseas training to improve myself. I want to take the training from either my money or by the help of Bangladesh Olympic Association," Priya told the Daily Star.

On Women's Day, Priya has a message to women.

"Women need to ensure their own security and increase confidence level, which is key to saving themselves and other women," opined Priya.