Khel Mahakumbh is witnessing many talented players who have represented the state at the national level. The players too want to pursue their future in the sports. Talking to The Pioneer, two players representing the Dehradun team in the Kho-Kho competition at Khel Mahakumbh stated that their dream is to have a bright future in sports.

Himani Badola, a player aged 16, said, “I have been playing Volleyball, Badminton and Kho-Kho over the past five years.  In the year 2014-15, I have participated in the nationals in Kho-Kho. Since the year 2017- 18, I have also been a part of the national volleyball team. I want to make my future in volleyball. My schools and family support me with everything and I try my best to take care of both studies and sports.”

Faziya Ansari, another player said, “I play Kho- Kho and athletics though my major interest lies in athletics. I have participated three years back to back from (2016-18) in national Kho-Kho events. My goal is to become a great athlete in future. My family and teachers support me but the problem we face is that our school does not have a proper ground to practise. So in order to practise, we use the ground of another school.”

A retired coach Nagesh Kumar aged around 62 who has been giving coaching to the Dehradun team said, “I have been coaching students all through my life. Even after being a retired coach, I continue to coach students who come to me for  coaching with all my energy.”

  Expressing regret over the  children not inclined to opt for sports as a career, he said, “Kids who are dedicated and are keen to be sportspersons make a impressive future in the field. However, I do feel that our society is inclined to push the children more into the study. But this is wrong. I am of the firm view, given my experiences, that the teachers and the parents should support the children inclined to sports to make their future in sports too.”