In a country where cricket and hockey dominate the sports landscape, Odisha athlete Kuldip Samant’s journey offers hope to aspiring throwball players, proving that even the most unlikely dreams can become a reality.
Like mother, like son — the phrase finds its true essence in Kuldip Samant, a 20-year-old throwball wunderkind from the heart of Odisha’s countryside. His mother Jayanti Behera, a physical education teacher and coach, clearly passed down her passion and prowess to the budding star.
Born to a family of modest means in Khamar Shahi village of Dhenkanal district, Samant’s life took a dramatic turn when he discovered his passion for throwball, a sport his mother had kept him away from initially. His fascination with throwball began when he was a 10-year-old class-5 student, watching his mother train 40 athletes at the local ground. His mother, a coach at SD Girls High School, has trained numerous throwball and handball players.
His curiosity soon turned into an obsession. At home, he mimicked the actions he saw, and with some hesitation, expressed his desire to play throwball to his mother. His maternal uncle also saw the spark and encouraged his mother to nurture Samant’s burgeoning interest. Despite his mother’s initial reservations, the young boy’s zeal and natural talent eventually won her over.
“Though I’m a coach who trains a lot of athletes, I kept my daughter and son away from it as I wanted them to focus on their studies. After seeing Kuldip’s enthusiasm and when he started getting awards in school athletics events, I realised his potential,” Behera, 49, said.
Under his mother’s guidance, Samant honed his skills, and his dedication paid off when he led his team to victory in the sub-junior state-level throwball championship in 2015. This triumph catapulted him to the national stage, where he represented Odisha and became the captain of the team.
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“I began dreaming of becoming an international star in throwball,” he said.
However, a fractured left hand during practice derailed his journey for a year. Resilient as ever, Samant made a strong comeback in 2017-18, captaining Dhenkanal once again at state-level tournaments. His mother, also his coach, encouraged him to keep pushing forward with patience and focus.
“Like every game has its own set of techniques and strategies, throwball demands a player to be watchful of the opponent’s speed, hand movements, and his jump,” Samant explained.
He immersed himself in the sport, playing regularly around Dhenkanal and in Odisha. In 2018, he led the state in the School Games Federation of India championship in Chhattisgarh. Despite his exceptional performance, he wasn’t selected for the Indian team, which came as a setback to him. Devastated but undeterred, Samant continued to train and compete, driven by his mother’s wisdom.
“Winning and losing is always a part and parcel of any game,” she reminded him.
Over the years, his leadership skills matured, earning the admiration of his teammates. Priyabrat Pradhan, one of them, said: “Kuldip bhai is a pride of Dhenkanal and Odisha. The moment the ball is in his hands, he just flies and makes sure the point comes in our favour. He and his leadership qualities are admired by everyone in our team; we wish to see him representing India one day.”
In 2020, Samant led his team and secured the runner-up position at the nationals in Bihar. His determination culminated in 2024 when he captained his team to a runner-up finish at the nationals in New Delhi. This success granted them entry into the prestigious Federation Cup tournament, where India’s best teams compete. His home is filled with trophies from various championships.
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Behera expressed pride in her son’s achievements, saying, “Kuldip has become an inspiration for so many children. Their parents want them to play and be a sportsman like him. I’m proud of him, and I’ll, along with his uncle, give possible support he needs to become an international player representing India,” she said.
Samant now aims to compete internationally, preparing for upcoming championships in Europe. Reflecting on his journey, he said: “Last time, I couldn’t make it there (international format), but I have full trust in myself, and the kind of belief every person in Dhenkanal has bestowed upon me. I promised myself that I won’t let anyone down.”
Amidst all the academic aspirations his mother had for him, life took a different turn, revealing a new path for Samant. In a country where cricket and hockey dominate, he found his home in throwball. His dream of representing India at the highest level fuels his passion, driving him to keep striving until he achieves his goal.
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The lead image on top shows Kuldip Samant practising his throwball moves at his village of Khamar Shahi village in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district. (Photo by Devashish Biswal)
Devashish Biswal is a graduate of English journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. He has an eye for stories with the potential to grab people’s attention.
