Tura, Jan 18: The 5th Meghalaya Games on Thursday witnessed an inspiring event where a 44-year-old mother aimed for the bull’s eye along with her 24-year-old daughter in the Senior Women’s Category.
Marbarisha M Pdah and her daughter Toiaibha M Pdah participated in the 10 m and 50 m rifle events and 10 m and 25 m pistol events, respectively. Descending from East Khasi Hills, they are unique participants in the 5th Meghalaya Games 2024 in Tura.
It all began when Marbarisha was moved by her daughter’s passion for shooting. Initially, introverted, she would always accompany her daughter for Championship events, supporting her and boosting her confidence from the beginning. Witnessing her daughter excel at the State Games initiated a new chapter in her life.
“Watching Toiaibha pursue her passion with such dedication and skill lit a fire within me. I realized that it is never too late to follow your dreams,” said Marbarisha, adding, “The Meghalaya Games presented the perfect opportunity for both of us to participate together and earn laurels for our beautiful state.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the Shooting event, Toiaibha, narrated, “As a school student, I was a part of NCC cadets, and it was here when I started to develop my interest in shootings. My mother (who competed in the last Games) would always encourage me to go for NCC camps and kept motivating me to pursue my passion for shooting.”
In 2016, Toiaibha got an invitation to join the Shooting Association. “It was my mother’s dream to see me become an athlete. She used to accompany me for my practice at the Assam Rifles in Happy Valley, Shillong, coaching centre herself. At first, my mom was hesitant about joining in because of her age, but she would always accompany me for State/National Championship events, supporting me and boosting my confidence.”
The 5th Meghalaya Games is undergoing with enthusiasm for the first time in Tura, from January 15 and is set to witness the heartwarming participation of this mother-daughter duo in the Rifle and Pistol events in the shooting category.
The Pdah family has become an example for the communities across the state, emphasising the importance of encouragement and solidarity to foster individual aspirations.
