Jashanpreet Singh, a 25-year-old athlete from Moga district, played a key role in Punjab's silver medal victory in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 65th National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. His journey to the podium was marked by personal tragedy and financial hardship, with his mother selling her jewellery to support his training.
From Tragedy to Track
Jashanpreet's father, a head constable, passed away in 2012, leaving the family in financial distress. Despite the setback, Jashanpreet began athletics at age 14 in school, inspired by his maternal grandfather and uncle who loved sports but could not pursue them due to financial constraints. "I wanted to fulfil that dream," he told The Tribune.
In 2017, he moved to Jalandhar for professional training. The family relied on his mother's pension after his father's death. "There were many problems. We managed everything with the pension that my mother received. We somehow continued with whatever little we had," he said.
Sacrifices for Spikes
Purchasing professional equipment, especially spikes for national competitions, was a major challenge. "Whenever we went to compete at the national level, we needed spikes. Some of our relatives settled abroad helped us whenever they could. My mother even sold her jewellery so that I could continue my training and achieve my dreams," Jashanpreet recalled.
Currently serving with the Punjab Police in Jalandhar on probation, Jashanpreet has his sights set on international glory. "My aim is to represent India at the international level and win medals for the country," he said.
Silver Lining at Nationals
Punjab's silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 65th National Inter-State Athletics Championships highlighted the grit of athletes like Jashanpreet. Three of the four relay runners train in Jalandhar and one in Bathinda, showcasing the region's athletic talent.
Jashanpreet's story of overcoming personal loss and financial hardship to win a national medal serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
