Mundi Kasu schoolkids brave odds, shine in sports

Mundi Kasu, a small and non-descript village in Lohian block of Shahkot subdivision, is making headlines — not for the devastating floods it is usually associated with, but for the determination and grit of its schoolchildren.

Students from the Government High School in Mundi Kasu have defied all odds to secure good positions in the zonal-level sports competition organised by the Education Department.

The school’s Under-14 and Under-17 kho-kho teams clinched the second and third positions, respectively, and have now qualified for the district-level tournament.

The success is particularly remarkable given the financially poor background of these children. “Many of our students come from families that can’t even afford milk for their children,” said Heena Kumari, the in-charge of the school, speaking to The Tribune.

“We chip in to help with their diet and basic needs so that they can stay strong and focused. During the practice time, they were given fruits, including pear, banana, and other healthy snacks for them,” she said.

The students played wearing smart sports t-shirts that were arranged by their teacher Heena Kumari who felt that wearing a proper kit would make a difference.

Heena, who has been spearheading sports training at the school, attributes the results to students’’ dedication and the persistent efforts.

The transformation has not been easy. Just last year, the students practised on a road and a rough vacant ground near the school. The school grounds had been severely damaged by the 2023 floods — overgrown with weeds, filled with stagnant water, strewn with stones, and dangerously uneven.

Despite these challenges, the students didn’t give up. “This year, I ensured we had a proper ground to practise. These were new students, but I could see their caliber. We began intensive practice sessions a month ago, and they gave it their all,” Kumari said proudly.

The school’s performance is being widely lauded across the district.

As the students gear up for the district-level tournament, the students of Mundi Kasu are not only playing a game,but also rewriting the story of their village.