Chasing Her Dream

"Just 15, and she's chasing her big dream: to represent India at the next Commonwealth Games to be held at Glasgow in 2014. She's got the wind in her feet and nothing stops her, not even poverty back home"

• Meet Priyanka V, aspiring athlete and daughter of an auto driver in Bangalore. She loves conquering the 800m and 1,500m races. Last month, she set a record in the 1,500m (Under-16 category), clocking just 4 minutes 56 seconds at a state-level school competition.


• Her family has no money to fuel her passion but so far, she has won her way by performing and winning races. Missing any race costs her dear - the more she performs, the closer she gets to her big dream through scholarships. Over the past three years, she has won over 50 medals, and her file of certificates is thick with just these two race events.


• The family lives in a small rented house in Arvind Nagar on Oil Mill Road, which is quite cramped, and Priyanka finds it difficult to even line her prize cups safely.

EDUCATIONAL BOOST

• Her constant wins in school competitions at the taluk and state-level competitions elevated her from the local government school near her house to the Jain International Residential School campus on Kanakapura Road. Last year, she was the only candidate to be selected here under the sports quota, with a 40% discount in education fees. Presently, she's undergoing rigorous training at the Jain Centre for Sports Talent Transformation Academy within the campus.


• Her continuous performance in sports is also likely to win her 100% free education next year. "She is very talented and has a bright future. She never gives up,'' says N Byregowda, her assistant trainer at the centre.


• Priyanka's father K Venukumar is elated about his daughter's performance, but her big dream worries him. Paying her discounted fee for school itself puts the family into a severe financial crunch. She is sent home once in a while but at times, just driving her back home from school in his auto seems difficult, considering the fuel expense.


• "I will be most happy if she gets to perform in the CWG, but our financial condition makes it seem a bit difficult. But I will ensure that she does not give up performing,'' he says, hugging her tight before dropping her back to school. His parting line is in good humour: "She's my only customer who I don't charge the meter!''
  
  

Contact Priyanka's father on 9986884733 to help her realize her dreams.