Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu today stressed the need for education among the tribal community as it would give them a right direction in life and prevent them from getting cheated.
Murmu said that it was not possible for the government to provide employment to all but if one is educated, he would be able to find an alternative route of employment.
She was speaking as the chief guest on the concluding function of the Sekkor Premium League organized by Tata Steel's Ore, Mines and Quarries (OMQ) division at Noamundi Sports Stadium in West Singhbhum district.
She also urged the tribals to shun liquor and 'hadia' (local rice beer of the region) as they ruin families.
Appreciating Tata Steel for launching self-employment and skill training programmes in tribal-pockets of Kolhan region and Khunti district, she said Manasi project launched by the steel maker has helped reduce the child mortality rate in the tribal pockets.
"I am happy to note that besides tribal sports, Tata Steel has taken several initiatives in the field of sustainable livelihood, education and girl child awareness with its core focus on ethnicity and promotion of tribal culture," she said.
The governor also lauded the initiatives undertaken by the private steel major to revive traditional tribal sports like Kati, Sekkor, Chhur, Bahu Chor and Ramdel played by the Santal and Ho communities of Jharkhand.
These sports were on the verge of extinction but for the efforts of Tata Steel, these sports events were being revived, she said.
Expressing satisfaction over the "overwhelming response" that the maiden Sekkor Premium League received in mineral-rich Kolhan region, Murmu asked Tata Steel to ensure that these sports were not restricted to Kolhan region or Jharkhand but across the country and aborad.
Pankaj Satija, General Manager, (OMQ), Tata Steel, said " Sekkor Premier League is a stepping stone targeted towards revival and enrichment of Ho culture."
2300 players from more than 120 villages participated in this season, which witnessed a total of 294 league matches played among 143 teams from Kolhan region during the last two months.
A traditional tribal sport "Sekkor" is a game played by the Ho tribe in peak summer believing that it brings rain and prevents drought.
Made of Kusum wood, the Sekkor, is shaped like a big top with an oval plane cap. A string is wound closely to a pointed base that enables it to be toppled over by the opposing team.
Played between nine or eleven people, this game identifies with the spirit and swiftness of the Ho tribe. The team who wins the toss gets to open the hitting Sekkors of the opponent, till the opponents Sekkors are out of the circle.
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