Priyanka Ingle, India’s Kho Kho World Cup winning captain arrives in Pune to a grand welcome

Growing up in a tiny, single-room unit in a chawl in Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Dighi area, Priyanka Ingle dreamt of making it big. Last week, the 24-year-old’s dream came true when she captained the Indian women’s team to win the first Kho Kho World Cup in Delhi by defeating Nepal 78-40.

“Of all the sports, Kho Kho is my favourite. Initially, I was desperate to play for my school and then as I mastered the game, I dreamt of making it big. I am glad I could achieve what I have always dreamt of. Winning the World Cup for the country is a special moment and I will cherish it forever,” Priyanka told The Indian Express on Thursday.

“We had little doubt that we would win. Our team was considered the strongest in the World Cup and I am glad we lived up to our top billing through our brilliant performance,” Priyanka said, rating Nepal as India’s toughest opponent.

Leading from the front, Priyanka also put up a stellar performance individually that saw her bag the Player of the Tournament award. “I am happy I could contribute my best and ensure that my team emerged with flying colours,” she said.

The daughter of a farmer from Kaij taluka of Maharashtra’s Beed district, Priyanka’s Kho Kho journey began when she was in Class 5 at Shri Sayajinath Maharaj Vidyalaya, Wadmukhwadi, in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

When she said she wanted to join the school Kho Kho team, her family was initially opposed to it. “They thought my studies would suffer. They wanted me to become a doctor like one of my relatives…But later, as I started doing well on the field, they supported me wholeheartedly and are still doing that,” Priyanka said.

Priyanka’s father Hanumant Ingle says they were concerned her studies would take a backseat. “She was always good at studies. In Class 10, she received more than 80 per cent marks. She did well in Class 12 and her graduation too… But she brilliantly managed her studies and her favourite sport. We are extremely thrilled that she played for her country and made all of us proud by winning the World Cup,” he added.

Kids from the school where Priyanka studied mobbed her and waved flags as she stepped on to Pune’s soil. However, bigwigs from Pune including MLAs and MPs were missing from the scene. (Express Photo/Pavan Khengr)

‘She always looked like she wanted to prove her mettle’: School coach

Priyanka said she got interested in Kho Kho in school. “I used to watch my schoolmates playing Kho Kho at the school ground. It generated interest in me and then I joined them,” she said.

“Her parents wanted her to do well in academics. However, I met them a couple of times and convinced them about their daughter’s ability and skill. I told them that one day their daughter will certainly bring glory to their family. My words proved right,” Avinash Karvande, Priyanka’s coach from her school days, said.

Karvande said of all the girls in her school, Priyanka was “a natural”. “She had the speed and the agility and always looked confident in any situation. What I liked most about her was her determination to do well on the field. It seemed like she always wanted to prove her mettle and because of this quality, she was picked for the district team, the state team and then represented Maharashtra,” he added.

According to Karvande, even during the players’ camp held in December, the members of the Kho Kho Federation of India were unanimous that Priyanka was the ideal choice for captain. “There were 60 outstanding players from different parts of the country. But the Federation zeroed in on Priyanka to lead the Indian team. She has not let down the Federation and her country,” he said.

‘Despite the odds we faced, we always backed her’: Father

Priyanka’s parents Hanumant and Savita migrated from drought-hit Beed district to Pimpri-Chinchwad in 1998. They rented a one-room unit in the Dighi area. Her father got a job as a worker in a private firm. “We left Beed as our farm was yielding nothing due to the persistent drought in the Marathwada region and came to Pimpri-Chinchwad in search of a livelihood. Initially, I used to get Rs 6,000 as my monthly salary. Till some 7-8 years ago, my salary was around Rs 15,000. Through our savings, some seven years ago, we moved into a flat and set up our own travel and tours firm,” Hanumant recalled.

However, this did not stop the Ingles from backing their daughter. “After we realised her potential, we never stopped her from pursuing her goals. We knew Priyanka would shine on the sports field. So, despite the odds we faced, we continued to back her,” he added.

Besides the World Cup winning moment, Priyanka, who represented India for the first time at the Asian Games in Assam in 2023 and Maharashtra on 23 occasions, says one of the most memorable moments in her life was when she received the Outstanding Player Award in the under-14 age group.

“Subsequently, I was honoured with the Rani Laxmibai Award in 2021-22. When I was picked for the 4th International Asian Games, my joy knew no bounds. I cannot forget that moment. The Maharashtra government has also honoured me with the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award in 2022-23,” she added.

“Apart from my parents, my coach Avinash Karvande has played an important part in my success,” Priyanka said.

The state government has offered a Class One post to Priyanka and her teammates. “After we won the World Cup, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar offered us Class One posts. The government has also promised a cash award,” Priyanka, who is already working with the income tax department as a tax assistant, said.