Punjab secured a silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 65th National Inter-State Athletics Championship held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The quartet of Jashanpreet Singh, Ramandeep Kaur, Kulvir Ram, and Maya clocked a time of 3:23.54, finishing just 0.03 seconds behind champions Tamil Nadu, who won the race in 3:23.51.
Athletes trained in Jalandhar and Bathinda
Three members of the silver medal-winning team—Maya, Kulvir Ram, and Jashanpreet Singh—have been training in Jalandhar, while Ramandeep Kaur trains in Bathinda. The medal is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Maya's journey from poverty to podium
Maya, hailing from Sitto Gunno village in Abohar, overcame immense hardships to reach the national stage. Born into a family of farm labourers, she grew up in extreme poverty along with six sisters and a brother. Education itself was a challenge for the family, but Maya pursued athletics through sheer determination.
Jashanpreet's struggle after father's demise
For Jashanpreet Singh, the journey has been filled with struggles. His father, a head constable with the Punjab Police, passed away in 2012, leading to financial distress. Despite the odds, he continued to work tirelessly towards his dream. "It has taken a lot for me to reach here. I want to give it back to my mother, who has sacrificed so much for me," Jashanpreet said.
Ramandeep credits coach Harnek Singh
Ramandeep Kaur, who trains in Bathinda, credited her coach Harnek Singh for shaping her career. "My coach Harnek supported me a lot. He convinced my father, who is a granthi, to send me to the athletics ground," she said. Ramandeep added that many had urged her parents to prioritize academics over sports, but they chose to support her. "I am grateful to them," she added.
All athletes started in school
All four athletes began their sporting journeys during their school days before rising to the national level.
Coach praises team's performance
Sports Department coach Sarabjit Singh praised the team's effort, saying the athletes gave a tough fight to Tamil Nadu and delivered an outstanding performance. "The team gave a fierce competition to Tamil Nadu and performed exceptionally well. The game showed their calibre," he said.
