Khelo India University Games: How Mallakhamb helped a Mumbai student beat life's distractions
Sohail Hussein Sheikh helped University of Mumbai win men's team gold in Guwahati in the ongoing KIUG.
Guwahati: When Sohail Hussain Sheikh lost his father, his mother Farida feared that her two daughters and only son might develop bad habits by interacting with children around them and hence enrolled them in a training center in Mallakhamb. Sohail was just nine at the time and studying in the fourth standard when he started training with Sunil Gangawane in Chembur, Mumbai, along with his elder sister Saheen, while their mother met their expenses by working as a maid in various households.
While Saheen has now turned coach to reduce the financial burden on the family, Sheikh continued to play the sport and was instrumental in helping the University of Mumbai achieve the men's team gold at the 4th Khelo India University on Monday Games 2023, Ashtalakshmi. at the Surusajai Sports Complex here.
Sohail obtained a B.Com degree from Bunts Sangha College, Mumbai and scored a total of 8.20 points on pole, 8.40 on rope and 7.90 in the hanging category, while the University of Mumbai stood first with 123.50 points, beating Madhya Pradesh's Vikram University by almost four. -point difference.
“After my father died, we moved to our maternal grandparents' house. Though our financial condition was quite critical, my mother wanted both me and my sister to take up the sport for a better future and did everything she could to support us,” said Sohail, who showed early promise through the U-12 and U-14 nationally. level mallakhamb gold medals.
Sohail is aware that his mother and now his sister have worked hard so that he can continue playing the sport and he tries to contribute wherever he can.
“After completing my studies and training, I also started coaching young children in the area so that I can also earn some money and reduce the burden on my mother,” Sohail said, adding that he plans is to work full-time. coaching once he's done playing and giving back to the sport that helped him change his life.
Speaking about the facilities of the Khelo India University Games here, Sohail said, “I am really enjoying my stay here. I enjoy the variety of food available at the location and enjoy the hospitality.”
What is Mallakhamb?
'Malla' means wrestling and 'Khamb' means pole. Mallakhamb means wrestling together on a pole. The sport consists of a vertical wooden pole on which aerial yoga or gymnastics is practiced. In the past, wrestlers and warriors trained this way to perfect their martial arts skills, which they could use in wars or on battlefields.