From Working In Dhaba To Representing India At Asian Games, Kavita Thakur’s Journey Is Inspiring

India's women's kabaddi team started their Asian Games campaign on a positive note as they crushed Japan 43-12

By: Karan Nanda |
August 20, 2018 1:23 pm

Kavita Thakur, a 24-year-old National level Kabaddi player who helped India win gold in the 2014 Asian Games, is an inspiration for those who believe that dreams to do come true.

Before joining the National Kabaddi team, Kavita Thakur used to wash utensils and sweep the floor at her family-owned dhaba in Jagatsukh village 6km from Manali, Himachal Pradesh.

The young athlete spent her entire childhood and teenage years in helping her parents Prithvi Singh and Krishna Devi in running their small roadside dhaba where they still sell tea and snacks.

Himachal Pradesh: Kavita Thakur, a member of Indian women’s Kabaddi team in Asian Games 2018 used to work at the family-owned roadside dhaba in Manali’s Jagatsukh before she professionally started to play Kabaddi. pic.twitter.com/QZlva0jC6F

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Before the Indian team won gold in the 2014 Asian Games, Kavita and her family struggled to buy a blanket to protect themselves from the unbearable cold in Manali. The family used to sleep on the floor.

The family’s fate changed after Kavita won gold in 2014. Kavita Thakur grabbed the spotlight for the historic win and the state government offered some financial assistance to her family.

Kavita Thakur is now a defender in India’s women Kabaddi team, currently in Jakarta for the on-going Asian Games 2018.

Kalpana Singh, Kavita Thakur’s sister was also a Kabaddi player but had to eventually leave the sport.

Kalpana Singh, Kavita Thakur’s sister says,”We both played Kabaddi. I had to eventually leave playing but she joined Sports Authority of India (SAI). She has won 5 gold medals at international level. I hope she wins gold in the Asian Games 2018.” #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/oCuL2IAuK8

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

On August 19, India’s women’s Kabaddi team started their Asian Games campaign on a positive note. India crushed Japan 43-12 to underline their superiority in the competition.

It was a one-sided game as the Indian women dominated the proceedings. They will now face Thailand.