by Arpita Mumbarkar
Nestled in Panvel, Maharashtra, is a town where a thirteen-year-old boy has been making waves in the world of sports. Meet Veer Swarali Praveen Mumbarkar, a young athlete who has dabbled in various martial arts disciplines, including Karate, Boxing, Kickboxing, and Thai Boxing, achieving success on the national level.
Veer’s journey, while commendable, is a lot tougher than the awe-inspiring narrative often associated with young sports prodigies. His unassuming physique may not scream “athlete,” but it belies his achievements.
Veer’s early tryst with sports occurred when, as a child of four or five, he started mimicking Karate and Boxing moves at home. His interest in these sports was further fueled by watching athletes like Mary Kom on TV and in movies.
One day, Veer’s father came across a pamphlet for the United Shotokan Karate Association near their house. It was as if fate had intervened, leading Veer to join this local academy located in Devad, Panvel.
Under the tutelage of his coaches, Mr. Rohit Bhosale and Mr. Prashant Gangurde, Veer embarked on his sporting journey. Within a span of two years, he managed to leave his mark on the local circuits of Mumbai and Pune. He also made appearances at national-level competitions across states such as Hyderabad, Goa, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan, bringing back a modest collection of Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. Veer even dabbled in international competitions, securing silver and bronze medals in Karate matches held in Nepal’s Kathmandu.
As his trophies and medals began to pile up at home, it became evident that Veer had developed a genuine passion for sports. At just thirteen, he harbors dreams of a career in the field.
Veer’s enthusiasm also led him to explore other sports like Kabaddi and Cricket. He even joined the Kabaddi team at the New English School in Panvel.
Despite his commitment to sports, Veer somehow manages to squeeze in time for his school studies, academy practice, and tuition classes. His daily schedule, crafted by himself, is a testament to his dedication.
Veer’s parents, while supportive, have had to find ways to finance his passion within their limited means. Veer’s father, a Mumbai Municipality employee, allocates a portion of their household budget to cover academy fees and competition expenses, which are quite steep. Gender equality is another aspect of their family values, as both Veer and his older sister, Kalash, were enrolled in Karate classes. Kalash however, had to take a break from the sport when she had to prioritize her board exams.
Veer’s mother, though, was initially concerned that they would have to provide for expenses for dietary requirements like dry fruits, or expensive proteins to keep up his physical requirements for training. However, she was relieved to know that he was physically thriving on simple, home-cooked, nutritious vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
Veer’s journey is not the stuff of legends but rather a testament to the power of passion and support. While he does have a small following of teachers, coaches, friends, and their parents, Veer’s story isn’t one of extraordinary feats but rather a glimpse into the life of a young sports enthusiast. His journey is a reminder that ordinary people can find their passion and pursue it with dedication, regardless of the accolades it may bring.
The Mumbarkar family’s story is a testament to the power of belief, dedication, and unconditional support. Veer’s school teachers, coaches, friends, and their parents all hold him in high esteem, with many of them being inspired to join his sport. t’s a shared belief that Veer’s journey is just beginning and that he will continue to inspire and pave the way for more young athletes to follow in his footsteps.