Ashram shala

Khelo India Tribal Games: Suraj Mashi and his friends, who are training at the athletics track in Nashik, are busy doubling up as wide-eyed fan boys, watching their seniors do drills to improve their performance. The only difference is that they are busy taking mental notes that they can implement when they begin their training drills.

Suraj is part of a group of tribal athletes who can’t really afford to pay for a coach every month and have to rely on whatever help they can get to improve their performance, as running is the only skill that has brought them this far and can one day change their lives for the better.

“The coaching fee is Rs 4000 per month. I can’t afford it. I stay on rent in Nashik to study and have to pay rent, which I earn from running in races in Maharashtra and Gujarat. So I train by myself and seek advice from seniors or Tribal department coaches when I get stuck,” said Suraj, who bagged the silver medal in the men’s 5000m race in the athletics competition in the Khelo India Tribal Games here on Sunday.