PANAJI
Nothing stops this visually impaired athlete from jumping, kicking a ball, or running a race. Sakshi Kale, a para-athlete from Goa, has won countless medals at state and national games. She recently made history as the first blind athlete from Goa to win a medal in long jump in the T12 blind category at the 20th Para Athletics National Championship in Bhubaneswar, taking gold in long jump and silver in the 200m run.
Sakshi now aims to give her best performance on the international stage. “I was one of two para-athletes from Goa selected for the 6th Indian Open International Para Athletics Championship 2024, held in March in Bengaluru. After winning gold in long jump, gold in the 100m run, and bronze in the 200m run, I have qualified for the 2024 World Para Athletics Championship and the Paris Paralympic Games 2024. I am training for these events every day,” says the 19-year-old, who cast her first vote on May 7 during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and was even an election icon.
Sakshi is open about her visual impairment. “I am 75% partially blind by birth, but I always played football and athletics with sighted players. I started playing football in class III. My sports journey wouldn’t be complete without my coaches’ guidance and motivation: Franky Mendonsa (football), Snehal More (running), Devi Gaonkar (long jump), Jaywant Honnavar (table tennis), and my mentor Sandeep Naik, who provided me with football and athletic kits,” she says. Sakshi’s father is a private driver, and her mother is a homemaker.
Financing sports accessories, a specific diet, and travel is challenging for the Kale family, but supportive sponsors help ease the burden. Permanent sponsorship would allow Sakshi to focus more on her training.
Sakshi, the youngest daughter of Eshwar and Milan Kale, has two older sisters. One is also visually impaired and studying through open schooling at IGNOU, while the other is finishing her MBA. Sakshi is now in her second year at Government College, Khandola. Her disability hasn’t stopped her from playing sports like football, kabaddi, long jump, running, or shot put.
“My love for sports began when I was a child, and my parents always encouraged me. I started playing football with boys and even captained our U-14 school football team,” says Sakshi, who initially dreamed of being a footballer before discovering her talent in athletics.
‘Swayampurna Mitra’ Sudesh Gaude introduced her to para sports and connected her with Sudesh Thakur, secretary of the Goa Paralympic Association. This introduction marked the start of her successful para-athletics career.
Despite suffering a ligament injury in June 2022, Sakshi made a remarkable comeback. She won three medals at the Junior Nationals in January 2023 and continued to compete and win at various national events despite further injury. In 2023 and 2024, she participated in numerous competitions, consistently winning medals in long jump, 100m, and 200m events.
To maintain her stamina and follow a strict diet, Sakshi joined Fit & Fab Gym, where the owner, Sahil Shetkar, motivates her to excel. Besides sports, she enjoys playing the dhol and performs with Shiv Sanskriti Pratishthan on festive occasions. Sakshi’s journey in sports is an inspiration. She urges children to balance academics and sports to develop a vibrant personality.
