AI Generated Summary
- At an age when many athletes are still trying to find their footing, 23-year-old Neha has already completed a full circle—returning to the sports college where her dreams first took shape, this time as a coach.
- Just a few months earlier, in November 2025, she had stood on the podium at the Khelo India Games, claiming a silver medal in the 400m relay.
- Appointed as a Khelo India coach on January 20, Neha’s new role is the latest milestone in a journey defined by grit, sacrifice and quiet resolve.
At an age when many athletes are still trying to find their footing, 23-year-old Neha has already completed a full circle—returning to the sports college where her dreams first took shape, this time as a coach.
Appointed as a Khelo India coach on January 20, Neha’s new role is the latest milestone in a journey defined by grit, sacrifice and quiet resolve. Just a few months earlier, in November 2025, she had stood on the podium at the Khelo India Games, claiming a silver medal in the 400m relay. Today, she stands trackside, guiding young athletes who see in her a reflection of what is possible.
Neha’s story began far from podiums and applause. The daughter of a factory foreman, she grew up in circumstances where even basic sporting equipment was a luxury. Her first runs were barefoot, driven more by instinct than opportunity. It was during her school days at Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Adarsh Nagar that her talent caught the eye of physical education teacher Sharandeep Kaur.
“When Neha started, she didn’t even have proper shoes,” Kaur recalls. “To see her come this far—it’s beyond words. This is more than I could have ever hoped for.”
Recognising her potential, Kaur introduced Neha to the sports college and to athletics coach Sunil Kamboj. That meeting proved transformative. Under Kamboj’s guidance, Neha trained relentlessly for seven years, steadily building her strength, technique and confidence. She credits that mentorship as a turning point she can never fully repay.
Neha does not shy away from her past. She speaks candidly about the hardship her family endured. Her mother once worked as a domestic help and now stitches footballs at a factory to support the household. Those experiences, Neha says, remain etched in her memory—but they also fuel her gratitude.
“I have seen poverty, and those memories still return,” she said. “But I have moved far ahead in life. Now, I am only thankful.”
For Neha, success is not measured solely in medals or titles. It is reflected in the pride of her parents and the independence she has earned. “My parents are proud of me, and that makes me the happiest,” she said. “I come from a background where money was always a struggle. Today, I have started earning, and that means everything.”
Her coach believes this chapter is only the beginning. According to him, Neha’s progress is the result of sheer hard work and discipline, and her potential extends well beyond what she has already achieved.
From running barefoot on school grounds to shaping the future of young athletes, Neha’s journey is a testament to perseverance and timely support. It is a reminder that belief—backed by effort and guidance—can transform even the most modest beginnings into stories of hope.
