Centennial olympics

Khelo India Beach Games: Kolhapur’s Akshay Patil has spent nearly two decades testing his strength, endurance and resolve in the tug-of-war arena, quietly turning a traditional sport into a tool for survival, stability and self-respect.

Once a farmer’s son struggling to pay school fees, Patil today stands as a government employee and assistant coach of Maharashtra’s tug-of-war team at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026, a living example of how sport can transform lives.

Born into a small farming family, Patil’s sporting journey began during his school days when he appeared for district-level tug-of-war trials. For the young boy, selection carried more than just sporting pride. It meant his school would waive his annual tuition fee of Rs 1,200, easing the financial burden on his family.