Diu, Jan 13 (NationPress) Akshay Patil from Kolhapur has dedicated almost two decades to mastering the art of tug-of-war, skillfully transforming a conventional sport into a means of survival, stability, and self-respect.

Once a farmer's son facing challenges in paying school fees, Patil is now a government employee and the assistant coach for Maharashtra's tug-of-war team at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026—a true testament to how sports can change lives.

Hailing from a modest agricultural background, Patil's journey in sports commenced during his school years when he participated in district-level tug-of-war trials. For him, being selected was not just a matter of athletic pride; it meant that his school would waive his annual tuition fee of Rs 1,200, significantly lightening his family's financial load.

“I have been involved with tug-of-war since I was in fifth grade. The school waiving my fees was a tremendous relief for us,” remarked the 29-year-old Patil.

This pivotal moment set him on a path of relentless training and competition, allowing him to balance his studies with sport while progressively ascending through district, state, and national ranks. His relentless efforts were rewarded in 2021 when he secured a position under the sports quota as a sorting assistant in the Postal Department.

While his initial posting took him away from his hometown, a later transfer back to Kolhapur brought not just career stability for Patil but also for his entire family.

The immediate effects were profound. Patil managed to arrange his only sister's wedding the following year and invested in cattle, enabling his aging parents to establish a small dairy venture.

“My parents have toiled in the fields throughout their lives, and now I want them to enjoy their rest. My job has also allowed me to organize my sister's marriage seamlessly, and I can confidently say I am now settled in life, free from financial worries,” shared Patil, who clinched a silver medal at the 2012 Junior World Cup in Chennai.

A product of the government education system, Patil continued his studies even while competing at the highest national levels, boasting an impressive collection of medals—two gold, four silver, and three bronze at senior national championships between 2011 and 2022.

“Even after joining the service, I never ceased my training. Before that, I had already participated in district and state competitions and numerous national tournaments,” he noted.

Patil attributes much of his progress to the steadfast guidance of Madhavi Patil, a former weightlifter turned tug-of-war athlete. Madhavi, who was part of the national weightlifting camp for the 1996 Centennial Olympics in Atlanta, transitioned to tug-of-war in 2000 and became an All India Inter-University champion for four consecutive years, later representing India at the Asian Tug-of-War Championship in 2004.

Now a physical education teacher and coach, Madhavi is dedicated to nurturing young talent and believes that the sport is on the brink of a revival. Tug-of-war was once part of the Olympic movement until 1908 and is now striving for re-entry into the Summer Games.

Commending the Khelo India initiative, Madhavi expressed that the inclusion of tug-of-war in the Khelo India Beach Games for two consecutive editions has encouraged youth across the country to pursue this traditional sport professionally. She hopes it will be recognized as a medal sport in future events.

“With adequate government support, Indian tug-of-war athletes can excel at international competitions and potentially secure medals at world championships,” she stated.

For Akshay Patil, the rope he once pulled for survival now symbolizes dignity, livelihood, and hope—not just for himself but for his entire family.