Against All Odds: This lad studying in govt school in Karkala qualifies for national sports meet

Team Udayavani, Dec 23, 2023, 9:50 AM IST

Karkala: In a heartwarming display of resilience and determination, Hitesh, a student from Kalya Government School, has defied adversity to secure a spot in the national sporting arena. Hailing from Varanga, Karkala, his story is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of financial struggles.

Living in a modest rented house in Garadi Nagar with his mother and sister, Hitesh’s family grapples with financial constraints. His mother, who washes dishes at a hotel, works tirelessly to make ends meet, balancing house rent, family maintenance, and educational expenses for her children.

Despite these challenges, Hitesh’s passion for sports burns brightly. He earned a place at the national level meet by clinching a silver medal in 110 m hurdles race at the 17-year-old state-level boys’ meet, held at Shree Ramakrishna School, Puttur. He will be competing at the upcoming national competitions in Dehradun and Shimla.

This remarkable achievement didn’t come without sacrifice. Rising at 5 a.m. daily, Hitesh committed himself to physical exercises and study. To support his family and fuel his aspirations, he took up door delivery of milk and newspapers every morning. However, he recently had to pause this routine to focus on practice.

Though his mother struggles to provide money for her son’s sportsmanship, she encourages him by saving from her meager earnings. Hitesh’s physical education teacher in primary school Vasant Nayak and a teacher in high school Chandrasekhar have been financially supporting his sports training.

Stellar performance:

Despite these handicaps, Hitesh’s talent shines through. He has participated in state-level hurdles competitions in classes 6 and 9, and division-level Kho Kho competitions twice. He has also won 2 times Savyasachi player award in district-level Kho Kho and many awards in many competitions. He passed the NMMS examination in class 8 and got an annual scholarship.

In academics, he was a school topper in class 9 and a leader at his school, showcasing his multifaceted excellence.

Sumana, the Head Teacher at Kalya S. High School, expressed immense pride in Hitesh’s accomplishments, emphasizing the school’s unwavering support.

Help needed:

To realize his dreams, Hitesh needs top-class training and coaching. He lacks the essential equipment required for his training. Recognizing his talent and potential, local trainers, teachers, and local associations who know him have been chipping in for the expenses. However, he needs better and stable financial assistance to pursue his dreams.

“With proper encouragement, Hitesh can achieve remarkable achievements. It’s a proud moment for Kalya Government School as he’s the sole contestant from the district selected for the national level from a government school. The teaching staff provides wholehearted cooperation,” Sumana said.

Hitesh’s mother, Leela, fervently backs her son’s aspirations, seeking support from potential donors to further fuel his sporting dreams. “Hitesh aims to make a mark in the sports arena and is committed to his practice. I support his passion to the best of my ability. Any donors willing to step forward can significantly bolster his achievements,” she says.