Sanju Devi's Kabaddi Dream: From Chhattisgarh Village to World Cup MVP
Sanju Devi, the daughter of a rice farmer from a remote village in Chhattisgarh's Korba district, faced a difficult decision at 17: pursue education for financial stability or chase her passion for Kabaddi. Eight years later, her leap of faith paid off spectacularly.
On November 24th, India secured victory in the second edition of the Women's Kabaddi World Cup 2025 in Dhaka. Sanju Devi, instrumental in her team's success throughout the tournament, was awarded the prestigious title of "Most Valuable Player (MVP)".
Early Days and Inspiration
Growing up in Kerakachhar village in Pali block, about 90 minutes from Korba, Sanju's Kabaddi journey began in Class V at her government school, initially as a recreational activity. Her interest deepened when she saw her cousins playing Kabaddi in college.
"Except for my family members, not many girls were interested in playing Kabaddi in Pali," Sanju recalled. "I had no role model but I took inspiration from my parents who always stood strong in tough times and my teachers who said we need to make our country proud."
Despite challenges, including the difficulty of forming a practice team at 15, Sanju persevered. Her cousins encouraged her to join the district Kabaddi association, marking a turning point in her career.
Balancing Studies and Sport
Driven by the prospect of a government job through sports achievements, Sanju embarked on her professional Kabaddi journey in 2021. She balanced her training with an ITI course in Pali, enduring a 90-minute commute to Korba for coaching.
"I was pursuing an ITI course in fitter trade... in Pali. To avoid the daily travel, I stayed in a hostel in Korba for four days and then returned to Pali for two days for my course," she explained.
Financial constraints posed a significant hurdle. Her father, Ramji, earning Rs 75,000 annually, and her mother, Amrika, prioritized Sanju's needs. The family made sacrifices to support her dreams.
Breakthrough and World Cup Triumph
In 2023, Sanju's career received a boost when she was selected for the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence and the Girls Residential Kabaddi Academy in Bilaspur, providing her with free training, food, and accommodation.
During the World Cup final against Chinese Taipei, which India won 35-28, Sanju's stellar performance earned her the MVP title, an award she was unaware of prior to receiving it. She was awarded 1,500 US dollars, which she plans to give to her father to improve their home.
Overcoming Challenges
Sanju faced challenges during the World Cup, including a shoulder injury sustained during a match against Uganda.
Key moments included:
- Being rested for the semi-finals to recover from her injury.
- Returning to the semi-final game against Iran when the team needed her.
- Scoring two crucial points after changing her technique to confuse the opponent.
- Scoring 14 points in the final against Chinese Taipei.
Call for Support
Sanju emphasizes the importance of early support for aspiring athletes. "First, support is needed in the initial stage... My family could not afford the expense (on diet and accommodation), but we managed somehow... Many athletes are talented but because they do not have money, they leave. The government, with help from corporates, can sponsor expenses in this initial stage."
