Vishnu, born into a family of landless agricultural labourers in the small village of Mirkhel, Maharshtra dreams of competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. With parents who had little to spare for sports after catering to three children’s education and meals, becoming a professional athlete has seemed like an unattainable dream to Vishnu. But Vishnu’s knack for sports made him practice despite the challenges of proper infrastructure, sports shoes and more importantly a proper diet. For a family struggling to make ends meet, allowing their child to pursue a sport came at a cost too heavy to bear. However, determined to change his destiny, Vishnu was apprised of the School of Athletics started by Sanskriti Samvardhan Mandal (SSM), named Sagroli Sunrisers in the district of Nanded- more than 100 kms away from his hometown. Vishnu is currently training at the School of Athletics along 45 other young athletes to prepare for high achievements at the national & international level of sporting events, especially the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Through their School of Athletics, SSM provides training, customized nutrition, on-the-field coaching as well as formal education to aspiring athletes. As Mr. Rohit Deshmukh, Director of SSM says, “Over the years, we have seen tremendous participation from children in the Nanded area. Our campaign has encouraged families to send even their daughters to our free centres where they can facilitate their dreams of representing their state, country and themselves”. Last year, one of the students, Arti Dudhe, ranked 5th in women category and 3rd in her age group, finishing the TATA Mumbai half Marathon in 1:32:44 hrs.
However, due to the continuous lockdowns and COVID related restrictions ‘The School of Athletics’ have come to a standstill. During the peak of the lockdown SSM were engaged in relief measures and it has also hampered many of their programs, as the donations have reduced. “What is even more challenging is that we have talent in the village, and that talent needs to be supplemented with good infrastructure, nutritional food and overall educational development. We cannot compromise on that,” says Mr. Nandkumar Jadhav, Sports Coach of SSM.
The project is designed to select a few handful students every year and facilitate professional training at par with any sports academy. The students are provided with a customized diet plan, on-the-field coaching, formal education. Their progress is monitored throughout. The program only only caters to students from deprived backgrounds at zero cost. The students are selected after testing their mental and physical stamina, alertness and keenness to play and also the financial background of the family.
A project designed to tap the rural talent in athletic events chooses thirty students every year and facilitates a professional training to prepare them for high achievements at the national & international level of events.
The project, designed to tap into rural talent in athletics, selects a handful of students every year from marginalized and resource poor families and facilitate professional training at par with any sports academy. The students are provided with a customized diet plan, on-the-field coaching, formal education. Their progress is monitored throughout. The program caters to students from deprived backgrounds at zero cost. The students are selected after testing their mental and physical stamina, alertness and keenness to play and also the financial background of the family.
Ever since the inception of the program in 2004, the athletes have participated in the National events like Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon and TCS Bangalore Marathon and school level events.
Your contribution will help kids like Vishnu, who come from marginalized communities in Nanded district to train and compete with talented sports persons across the country.
| Sl.No | Particulars | Cost for 1 athlete per month (INR) | Total cost for 1 athlete Per Annum (INR) | Total cost for 20 athletes Per Annum (INR) |
| 1 | Supplementary diet | 2000 | 24000 | 480000 |
| 2 | Sports kit | 5000 | 100000 | |
| 3 | Coaching expenses | 450 | 5400 | 108000 |
| Total | 2450 | 34400 | 688000 | |
Rs 2900 for 1 athlete per month will bring them a step closer to their dream.
Indiadonates is a tax exempt entity, and all donations made through Indiadonates will be tax-exempt under Section 80G of Income Tax Act.
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Sanskriti Samvardhan Mandal
Sanskriti Samvardhan Mandal is a village based educational instition est. in 1959 with a view to educate and empower the deprived rural community. SSM is actively involved in rural development through education, skill development, agriculture and natural resource development. SSM imparts education to 3500 children through five school units. SSM also provides homely shelter for or...read more
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