Mumbai: 20 February 2024

When Sohail Hussain Sheikh lost his father, his mother Farida was worried that her two daughters and son could get into bad habits by hanging out with kids in their locality and hence enrolled them at a Mallakhamb training centre.

Sohail was just nine then and was studying in standard four when he started training under Sunil Gangawane in Chembur, Mumbai along with his elder sister Saheen. Their mother supporting their expenses by working as a maid in various households.

While Saheen has now become a coach to reduce the financial burden on the family, Sheikh continued to pursue the sport and on Monday played an important role in helping University of Mumbai clinch the men’s team gold in the 4th Khelo India University Games 2023, Ashtalakshmi, at the Surusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati.
Pursuing a B.Com. degree from Bunts Sangha College in Mumbai, Sohail scored a total of 8.20 points on pole, 8.40 on rope and 7.90 in hanging category as University of Mumbai secured top spot with 123.50 points, beating Madhya Pradesh’s Vikram University by almost four-point difference.

“We shifted to our maternal grandparents’ place after the death of my father. Though our financial condition was quite critical, my mother wanted both me and my sister to pursue the sport for a better future and did everything to support us,” said Sohail, who showed early promise by winning the U-12 and U-14 national level Mallakhamb gold medals.

Sohail is aware that his mother and now his sister have been working hard so that he can continue to play the sport and he tries to contribute however he can.

“After completing my college and training, I have also taken up job of coaching young children in the area so that I can also earn some money and reduce the burden on my mother,” Sohail said, adding that he plans to take up full-time coaching once he is done playing and give back to the sport that has helped him turn around his life.
Speaking about the facilities at the Khelo India University Games here, Sohail said, “I am really enjoying my stay here. I am relishing the different food available at the venue and enjoying the hospitality.”

About Khelo India University Games 2023

The Khelo India University Games is a multi-discipline sports event aimed at promoting sports and fitness among university students in India. A vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, it provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent and compete at the national level. The Khelo India University Games Ashtalakshmi 2023, being staged over the seven states of North East India, feature an array of sporting disciplines including athletics, rugby, basketball, volleyball, swimming, badminton, hockey, fencing, kabaddi, football, tennis, mallakhamb, judo, table tennis, boxing, shooting, weightlifting, archery, wrestling, and yogasana. The Games are aimed at finding the talent that will make the nation proud in global sports tournaments.

PG/NJ/PM

 

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