Veteran paddler Mouma Das shuts down talks of retirement as she gears up for a fresh start

After finishing runners up at the Senior National champions, veteran paddler Mouma Das is full of confidence as she is planning to make a strong comeback after giving birth to a child. She is all set to return to action as she shuts down retirement rumours.

Das, who has won five national titles in the past, has returned to action and has shown great determination and grit to finish runners up after a long time. She finally went down to Sreeja Akula in the finals but nevertheless, it was a valiant fight from the 38-year-old veteran who is finding her form.

“I never thought about the results. I actually just wanted to see where I stand fitness-wise after becoming a mother,” the two-time Olympian said at the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club. She shared how her family and in-laws have been massively supportive and hence she gains strength from them. “I am lucky to get such good support both from my family and my in-laws. Even my office wants me to play on. I am really overwhelmed and have thus not thought about throwing in the towel yet,” Das went on.

She shared how BCCI president and former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly’s comeback story gave her motivation to make a comeback as she refuses all the talk regarding her retirement.

“The example of Sourav Ganguly’s comeback story stood firmly in front of me as an inspiration,” she revealed.

Das became a mother back in 2019 but her comeback was halted by COVID-19. But the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist refused to give up as she kept fighting against the odds to return to the game that she loves with all her heart and soul.

She shared her struggle with COVID and also highlighted how giving up was never an option.She even shared how returning toi action was tough for her as she felt nervous but as she played a few games her nerves settled and she found form.  “The love for the game made me start afresh but my comeback was halted further due to the pandemic when I was also affected by the virus. I was feeling shaky when I first got down for practice at the venue. But slowly things started falling in place,” she concluded.