GUWAHATI: When masters athlete Morjina Begum (63) was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, some told her that she didn’t have much time left. After surgery in 2018, she remained in hospital till 2020 battling to get better. But amid the pandemic last year, she had a relapse and was again brought under strict medication.
A year later, however, Morjina — a resident of Baladmari village in Assam ‘s Goalpara district — has become an inspiration for others by winning a silver in the 4×100 metres relay at the National Masters Athletics Championship 2023 held in Kolkata from February 14 to 18. The event was organised by the Master’s Athletic Federation of India.
Morjina became an athlete after 35 years of age. Since 2010, she participated in multiple atheletic events at both at national and international level. After the operation in a city hospital, she was further treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahathi. Even as doctors gave her the go-ahead to enter the sports arena by the time registration for the event started, Morjina was dissuaded by athletic federation officials to participate in the event as they were apprehensive and concerned about her fitness and health.
“Despite all challenges, I went ahead and filled up the form for participation in the Kolkata event”, she said.
She was trained by her own daughter, a sportsperson, and won prizes at both national and state level events before cancer was detected in 2018. “I will keep on participating in athletic events till my last breath”, Morjina said.
Dr Munlima Hazarika, professor of medical onchology at BBCI said without sheer determination it wouldnot have been possible to run for glory in the athletics track. “Morjina had received cardiac toxic chemotherapy. Despite that she not only participated in an athletic event, but also won the event which shows the true determination can achieve”, said Dr Hazarika.