Meet the Young Star Who Switched Sports and Won Silver at Khelo India Tribal Games!
A Remarkable Achievement in Race Walking
Jagdalpur/Sundargarh: Just two days after completing her Class XII board exams, 17-year-old Alish Ekka proudly stood on the podium, adorned with a silver medal from the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 held in Chhattisgarh.
Hailing from the small village of Santoshpur in Odisha's Sundargarh district, this achievement symbolizes not only her dedication but also honors her mother's sacrifices. Alish made a significant decision to transition from hockey to race walking less than two years ago.
Alish's mother, Pramila Ekka, a former state-level hockey player, had to abandon her sports career due to financial struggles and family obligations. Growing up, Alish aspired to represent India as a striker, but the limited prospects in team sports prompted her to reconsider her path.
After consulting with coaches at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, located approximately 15 kilometers from her home, Alish opted to pursue race walking.
In the last two years, she has managed to juggle rigorous training with her academic responsibilities, often traveling considerable distances to practice while preparing for her exams. Her perseverance bore fruit when she finished the women's 10,000 meters race walk in 1:04.59, securing the silver medal at the KITG 2026 in Jagdalpur.
"At first, it was quite challenging since I had never attempted race walking before. However, my coach assured me that with hard work, I could excel in this event. I placed my trust in him and committed to giving it my all," Alish shared with SAI Media.
The timing of her success added to its significance. Alish had just completed her Class XII board exams a day prior to her participation in the Games. Within 48 hours, she was celebrating her first medal at a national level. "I didn’t have much time to prepare for the KITG. I finished my exams and came here thinking I would just give my best. When I crossed the finish line and realized I had won a medal, it felt unbelievable," she expressed with joy.
Beneath her cheerful demeanor lies the narrative of her mother's sacrifices. Pramila, the family's sole provider, works at a jewelry store, earning around Rs 5,000 monthly. Despite their modest income, she skillfully manages the household while ensuring that Alish and her younger brother, who is in Class 3, receive the necessary support.
"My mother sacrificed her sporting ambitions due to various challenges, primarily financial. Growing up, I witnessed her relentless efforts to support our family. Recently, she faced some vision problems and needed new glasses, but she hesitated to spend on them, fearing it would disrupt our budget.
"She never complains and always encourages me to excel in my sports endeavors. This medal is a testament to her sacrifices," Alish concluded emotionally.