ASCENDING TO NEW HEIGHTS

Chinmay Patankar and his wife Pradnya, both former national-level Mallakhamb players from Pune, have been working to promote the sport through Mallakhamb Federation of USA

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In the realm of sports, dreams aren’t solely confined to the athletes who strive for glory; they also reside within the hearts of dedicated organisers who tirelessly work to elevate their beloved games to global prominence. Such is the inspiring journey of the Mallakhamb organisers from the United States of America, who are fervently pursuing the dream of establishing this ancient Indian sport as a competitive or demonstrative discipline in the Olympic Games. Their dedication and relentless efforts have set them on a path towards Olympic glory and are fuelling a movement that transcends borders.

DREAMING BIG

Under the dynamic leadership of Chinmay Patankar, a former national Mallakhamb player, the Mallakhamb Federation of USA has embarked on a remarkable journey. Recently, they took Mallakhamb on an exhibition tour to Germany and Canada, garnering an overwhelming response that has ignited their passion to carry this traditional Indian sport to every corner of the globe.

Chinmay and his wife Pradnya, both former national-level Mallakhamb players from the Academy of Physical Education Pune, settled in the USA in 2009. Their love and devotion for Mallakhamb led them to initiate training sessions in their own backyard in 2013, initially with just a handful of enthusiasts. However, word-of-mouth quickly spread, and the program blossomed to include over 150 dedicated participants. The overwhelming response necessitated the recruitment of more trainers to accommodate the growing demand.