Pune: In what could be termed as a rare bonanza, the three members of World Cup winning Indian women's kabaddi team from the state will be getting Rs 1 crore each. Incidentally, this announcement has come on the eve of the World Women's Day.

Deepika Henry Joseph (21), a resident of Kalewadi, is among the three state players who will be awarded with the cash award along with class I state government jobs. Abhilasha Mhatre and Surekha Bartakke are the other players from the state.

“This is something which I had never dreamt of. This is good for the sport and I hope every other sport would also get the same recognition,” said Deepika. It has been a rough ride for Deepika, though. The player lives with her mother and brother in a slum. But she has no regrets as this has been the place which has given her some status in the society.

“I am proud of my dwelling place, my mother, brother and all my friends who have helped me in taking kabaddi as a game,” said Deepika, a Bharati Vidyapeeth graduate. “I have not been informed about the prize money officially, but I am sure they will announce it soon,” she said.

“She is a hard working girl and against all odds, she has made a name for herself,” said her coach, Ananth Shirke. At the age of 15, Deepika first represented the state.

He added, “It is good for kabaddi that it is being considered by the authorities and I hope there are other games which also fall in line. It will be a real booster for the youngsters to take up different games other than cricket.”