Running after the dream

MUMBAI: Before he started sprinting, Sunil Gualbbhai Waghri had hardly imagined himself stepping out of the boundaries of his native village of Bareja in Gujarat's Daskroi Taluk. Life for the 11-year-old had revolved around the 20 minute walk to the local school and the chase after bare necessities of life shared among his extended family of ten.
Then a year back, with the aid of his physical education teacher, he started recognizing his talent for speed on track.At the Gandhinagar Khel Mahakumbh, an initiative by the Narendra Modi government, Sunil found a new dream to run after.
"I had never been a sportsman. We never had the time or the facility. But running came naturally to me and it did not cost much. So I started training at school under my teacher's guidance," says the class 7 student of Bareja Brenchshala, a Gujarati-medium school.
While his performance at the first Mahakumbh was not of note to others, to Sunil himself it was a stepping stone to bigger things. He returned this year for the second season of the competition to win gold and grab the much needed attention. "I had no money for shoes or my bus ride back to my village. But shoes or no shoes, I had to give my best shot. It paid off," says Sunil who not only won Rs 19000 in prize money but also an entry into the Second Season of Speedstar, an initiative by KOOH sports to scout the fastest sprinters across the country.
While the amount seems nominal for most, Sunil and his family have a saving that is rather extraordinary for their circumstances. "My father is a farm labourer and my mother takes care of the home. Finances have always been a challenge for us. Cutting corners is the norm with us," says the eldest of five siblings who with other relatives shack up in two dingy rooms. "With the little money, my father is building a bigger house for us. Things are looking up."
In the City of Dreams, far away from home, Sunil finds himself both wide-eyed in disbelief and determined in his motives. Running in the under-12 category, Sunil made podium finish with a bronze, wearing his brand new spikes. "When I won gold barefeet at the Mahakumbh, a gentleman gifted these to me. They don't let you wear them on the Gandhinagar track. So I was scared if they will let me run in them here. They did and I loved running in them."
While most kids from tough backgrounds drop their dreams at the first call of livelihood, Sunil swears his will be a different story. "Earlier all my energy was into earning for my family and bringing food home. But if I can reach here and still win bronze I think I can do better. I had never thought of a career, but now I know I want to spend my life running on this track," concluded the dazed dreamer.