Panaji (Goa) [India], October 30 (ANI): There are days within the lifetime of an athlete when the years of battle and perseverance discover a new that means and their fortune modifications without end. For the Chhattisgarh Men’s Mallakhamb workforce – who clinched Bronze within the Team Championships on the thirty seventh National Games Goa 2023 on Saturday, that day was when Special Task Force Sergeant Manoj Prasad walked into their lives in 2018.
Having gone by means of the rigours of being an athlete and National stage runner himself, Manoj made it his life’s mission to assist underprivileged youngsters lead a lifetime of dignity by means of sports activities.
Speaking about his journey from being an Army man to Mallakhamb coach, Prasad mentioned, “I’ve participated in a number of national-level competitions as a runner and noticed the issues that athletes face. So, it was at all times my dream to in the future turn out to be a coach and rectify this example as a lot as I can.
“Then, when I got posted in Chhattisgarh in the Special Task Force, I saw each corner of this state and saw the talent in the grassroots level who had no access to any kind of opportunities to pursue sports seriously. I was introduced to Mallakhamb in my time in the STF, and I still remember the first time we went to compete as a team – I had tears in my eyes that day because Chhattisgarh was so far behind the other states,” he added.
Since then, Manoj has turn out to be a full-time coach and heads the Abujhmad Mallakhamb Academy in Narayanpur.
However, the time period coach would not practically sum up his position within the lifetime of his college students. His Academy homes over 25 college students and offers them meals, schooling, garments and even psychological and social steering to cement their place on this planet. Due to frequent rainfall in Narayanpur, Manoj has additionally constructed an indoor coaching facility so his college students do not face any hindrances of their coaching. He even took on a private mortgage of Rs 5 Lakh to construct this facility.
“From 2017 to 2020 until the covid pandemic, my team won several National Championships and reached number one rank in all of India. I had to put my whole life’s work; all my money, savings and power to make sure my kids reach this stage. Mallakhamb was not a popular sport back then so there was never any support from outside – I had to invest my own money in training facilities and travel and stay for competitions across India,” Manoj mentioned.
Just as his workforce clinched the Bronze Medal on the thirty seventh National Games, it was a red-letter day for the group for an entire different motive as nicely. The identical group that received this medal on Saturday has additionally reached the finals of the fact TV present India’s Got Talent, which can be aired at 9 p.m. on Sony TV community yesterday.
“I am so proud of what this team has achieved on the India’s Got Talent show. We cleared 13 episodes to reach the finals, which is a big achievement. Just this morning, we even got an email from America’s Got Talent inviting us to participate in their show next year. To tell you the truth, these achievements are great, but what makes me the happiest is that the sport of Mallakhamb has allowed my kids today to earn enough money to lead a good life and build houses for their parents. There can be nothing more satisfying than this for me,” acknowledged Manoj.
Member of the National Games Goa Bronze Medal profitable workforce and son of a household of paddy and maize farmers, Monu Netam, additionally spoke about his coach, saying, “He is my guru and like a God to me. I remember I was really scared during the covid lockdowns. at that time Manoj sir took me and 5 other kids into his own home and provided a house, food, clothes and even books for us to read and learn our schoolwork. He has taught me how to deal with difficult situations in life. He hasn’t taken a day off or returned home in the last 8 years, just so we never miss a single day of training. I dedicate this medal to Manoj sir.”(ANI)