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Khelo India Tribal Games: Maharashtra's Suraj Masih, Running against All Odds, wins Silver Medal with Borrowed Spikes
At the athletics track in Nashik, young tribal runner Suraj Masih and his friends train with quiet determination.
Their eyes are fixed not just on their own drills but on the seasoned athletes ahead. They observe intently, mentally cataloguing techniques to refine their form once their session begins.
The Struggle of a Self-Taught Tribal Athlete
For this group from Maharashtra’s tribal communities, formal coaching remains a distant luxury they cannot afford. Running - the skill that has carried them this far, offers the only realistic path to transforming their lives.
“The coaching fee is Rs 4000 per month. I can’t afford. I stay on rent in Nashik to study and have to pay rent, which I earn from running in races in Maharashtra and Gujarat. So I train by myself and seek advice from seniors or Tribal department coaches when I get stuck," Suraj Masih said.
Instead of professional guidance, Suraj pays a modest Rs 300 monthly for facility access and trains in second-hand shoes. His own spikes, worn thin from relentless use, forced him to borrow a pair from a fellow competitor just to compete in the event.
A Life Defined by Resilience and Loss
Hailing from a modest village in Mokhada Taluka of Palghar district, Suraj belongs to the Warli tribe. He was the first boy born after four sisters to a daily-wage labourer father. From a young age, he has largely fended for himself after joining a state-run Ashram Shala for his education.
It was during a school sports event that he discovered his talent for running, a discovery that has since provided stability amid life’s turbulence. In his 10th standard, his mother suffered a hip injury in a fall and lost her mobility. Last year, one of his elder sisters passed away, leaving Suraj as the pillar of support for his three younger brothers.
Suraj Masih: Balancing Studies, Family, and Dreams
After finishing school, Suraj moved to Nashik to pursue higher studies alongside his athletic dreams. Balancing escalating living costs and family responsibilities has demanded constant juggling.
"I make a living by participating in the local competitions, cross-country races, from which I earn around Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 every month. From that amount, whatever I manage to save I send it to my father, and also pay for my education, training and other requirements," he added.
Upon turning 18, he attempted to join the police force, excelling in most physical tests but falling short in the shot put event. While securing stable employment remains a priority, Suraj is optimistic that his silver-medal performance at the Khelo India Tribal Games will open doors.
He notes that the Maharashtra government extends cash awards to medallists in such competitions, a glimmer of hope for a young athlete who has overcome immense odds through sheer grit and passion for the track.
Story first published: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 19:12 [IST]
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