Jagdalpur, April 3 (NationPress) Just 48 hours after completing her Class 12 board exams, 17-year-old Alish Ekka proudly stood on the podium adorned with a silver medal at the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 held in Chhattisgarh. For this young athlete from the humble village of Santoshpur in Odisha’s Sundargarh district, this achievement is a heartfelt acknowledgment of her mother’s sacrifices, as well as a reward for her courageous shift from hockey to race walking less than two years ago.

Alish is the daughter of Pramila Ekka, a former state-level hockey player who had to abandon her sporting ambitions due to financial difficulties and family obligations. Alish grew up with the aspiration to represent India as a striker.

However, facing limited prospects in team sports prompted her to reassess her athletic path. After consulting with coaches at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, located around 15 kilometers from her village, Alish made the pivotal choice to transition to race walking.

In the past two years, Alish has managed to juggle rigorous training and her studies, frequently traveling long distances to train while preparing for her board exams. Her dedication culminated in a remarkable performance on Wednesday, where she completed the women's 10,000 meters race walk in 1:04.59, earning her the silver medal at the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 in Jagdalpur.

“At first, it was quite challenging since I had never pursued 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 resolved to give it my all,” Alish shared with SAI Media.

The timing of her accomplishment made it even more significant. Alish had just completed her Class 12 board exams a day before heading to the Games. Within 48 hours, she found herself celebrating her first national-level medal. “I didn’t have much time to prepare for the KITG. I completed my exams and came here intending to give my best. Crossing the finish line and realizing I had won a medal was surreal,” she expressed, beaming with joy.

Behind that radiant smile lies the narrative of her mother’s sacrifices. Pramila is the sole breadwinner for the family of four, working at a jewelry store and earning around Rs 5,000 monthly. Despite their modest income, she skillfully manages the household while ensuring both Alish and her younger brother, who is in Class 3, receive the support they need.

“My mother sacrificed her own sporting dreams due to numerous challenges, primarily financial. Growing up, I witnessed her tireless efforts to sustain our family. Recently, she faced some vision issues and needed new glasses, yet she hesitated to spend on them as it could disrupt our tight budget.

“She never complains and always motivates me to excel in whatever sport I choose. This medal symbolizes her sacrifices,” Alish concluded, visibly emotional.