How is Khelo India Scholarship Shaping the Future of TN Police Superintendent’s Son Sarvesh Smaran in Archery?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sarvesh Smaran is a promising young archer with big aspirations.
- The Khelo India Scheme plays a crucial role in supporting young athletes.
- Learning from past competitions is vital for growth.
- Family support is essential in an athlete's journey.
- International exposure enhances competitive skills.
Bhagalpur, May 6 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu recurve archer Sarvesh Smaran has embarked on a transformative journey from his hometown to the National Centre of Excellence, Sonipat. This bold move is already yielding positive results, as he aims to rectify the mistakes he made in his previous two competitions and secure the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Bihar gold medal at the Sandy’s Compound.
Sarvesh expressed his determination to avoid repeating the errors that hindered his performance in the National Championships and National Games. “I didn’t excel in the ranking round, which led me to approach the competition with a renewed mindset. I played with utmost dedication and am optimistic about returning with a gold medal from the final,” he shared.
At just 16, Sarvesh, whose mother serves as a Superintendent of Police in Tamil Nadu, is set to face Maharashtra’s Ujjwal Bharat Olekar in the final on Thursday.
“My aspiration is to win a medal at the Youth Archery World Championship in Canada this August. To achieve that, I need to perform well in the national trial in Pune on May 22. My current focus is on the Khelo India final, and I aim to secure a medal here before considering the trial,” he added.
Having competed in several international tournaments, Sarvesh made an impressive fourth-place debut at the Youth International Championship in Taipei in September 2024, followed by participation in the Archery Asia Cup Stage 1 in Bangkok.
“My mother encouraged me to pursue shooting as a sport when I was just five. Although I had to wait until I was 8, she steered me towards archery as it closely resembles shooting. Thus, I began my archery journey,” Sarvesh recounted.
As a beneficiary of the Khelo India Scheme, he receives a monthly scholarship of Rs 10,000. Additionally, he enjoys support from the Government of Tamil Nadu and a private foundation. “The Sports Authority of India and Archery Association of India have been instrumental in my training. My focus has sharpened since being selected under the scheme,” he stated.