A decade and a half of relentless struggles flashed through the memory of Gowtham MK as he stood receiving the prestigious Kreeda Ratna Award. The dedicated Kho Kho athlete accepted the honor from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with immense pride. His journey from humble beginnings to this pinnacle moment is a testament to sheer determination.
“As I accepted the award, I couldn’t help but think of the mere Rs. 10 pocket money my father used to give me once every week,” reflected the 27-year-old. His father, Kapani Gowda, has spent his life driving an auto-rickshaw to support his family. This financial reality shaped Gowtham’s early years and fueled his resolve.
Gowtham’s journey in Kho Kho began when he was in the 4th standard. His father initially dreamed of getting him admitted to a private convent school for an English education. Gowtham witnessed his father’s tireless efforts, running from pillar to post to gather admission fees.
Yet fate had different plans. A government school physical training teacher, Mahadesh, saw the spark of a budding sportsperson in him. The teacher persuaded Gowtham’s father to abandon the private school dream. With money scarce and the teacher’s insistence, his father had to rethink the plan.
Despite facing discouragement from relatives and neighbours, Gowtham remained steadfast. After the 8th standard, a local club, Young Pioneers Sports Club, recognised his talent. The club took full responsibility for both his training and his education, changing his trajectory completely.
From that moment, there was no looking back. His father became fully convinced of his potential. Gowtham’s remarkable career now includes over 20 tournaments at national levels. He also showcased his skills at the 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship and the first Kho Kho World Cup, where India won Gold.
Gowtham played in the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup held in New Delhi. His performance there and in other events helped him secure a central government job in the Postal Department. This job was earned through a certificate obtained during the India-Nepal Kho Kho Test series in 2018.
Looking back, he emotionally shared a promise fulfilled. “I told my father that there is no need to look back anymore, and he no longer has to drive the auto-rickshaw. His son is now capable of taking care of the entire family.” This moment of triumph underscores the transformative power of sport.
Some 150 kilometres away, another proud athlete returned home with the same award. Twenty-two-year-old Chaithra B. from Kuruburu village was also honored with the Kreeda Ratna. Her story reflects the dreams of countless girls from small towns who strive to achieve big in life.
Born into a humble farming family, Chaithra witnessed her father’s daily struggles. Tragedy struck when she was in the 6th standard. Her father suffered a venomous snakebite while working in the fields in 2014, with his diabetes complicating a long recovery that required five operations.
“At that moment, I thought about quitting Kho Kho to help in the fields,” Chaithra remembered. She made a pivotal decision instead. “But I promised myself and my father that I would work hard to make a difference for our family and village.”
Her journey, marked by fierce grit, saw her rise through various national championships. It culminated in her participation in the first Kho Kho World Cup. Currently pursuing a B.P.Ed., she hopes to secure a job through the sports quota after completing her studies.
Chaithra has played in more than two dozen championships at all levels. Her career peaked when she played in the first Kho Kho World Cup. There, she bagged the best player of the match award, highlighting her exceptional talent in this growing sport.
The President of the Kho Kho Federation of India, Sudhanshu Mittal, shared encouraging statistics. He proudly announces that over 3,500 Kho Kho athletes have secured government jobs through the sports quota system. This system is opening doors for countless young athletes.
“Witnessing Kho Kho athletes elevate their lives fills me with profound satisfaction,” Mittal remarked. He affirmed that sustained efforts are truly yielding results. Kho Kho has evolved into a modern and competitive sport, chosen by more young people as a viable and promising career path.
The Karnataka Kreeda Ratna Award carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and a citation. The Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports distributed numerous awards for the years 2022 and 2023. These honors celebrate the incredible journeys of athletes like Gowtham and Chaithra, whose dedication to Kho Kho has changed their lives.