Rangamati district officials stepped up this week to build a permanent home for national table tennis champion Khoi Khoi Marma. The Islamic Solidarity Games silver medallist currently resides in a crumbling house in a remote Rajasthali village. This gesture ensures the athlete finally receives the dignity her sporting prowess deserves.
District Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi bypassed the usual bureaucratic channels to initiate the project. “Khoi Khoi is the proud child of Rangamati,” Ashrafi declared. She recognises that a champion needs more than just medals to sustain a career.
The DC made it clear that no higher ministry forced her hand. “The district administration stood by a talented athlete voluntarily, not by the instruction of a ministry or any other agency,” she noted. She prioritises local talent over waiting for a nudge from Dhaka.
Ashrafi insists on building a house that lasts despite the difficult terrain. “An engineer will design it based on the soil structure of the hilly area,” she explained. “I will ensure the house happens whether I remain in this post or not.” This commitment secures Khoi Khoi’s future regardless of political shifts.
Khoi Khoi Marma greeted the news with pure joy and relief. “It will be a great benefit for my family,” the champion said. “The DC and UNO saw a place at my house and we decided to build the house on the current site.” She can now focus on her backhand rather than a leaking roof.
The family already owns the land, which simplifies the process in the complex hill tracts. This ownership removes the typical legal hurdles that often stall local construction projects. The builders will start work quickly to transform her living conditions.
