How Manisha Kumari went from a Naxal-affected village to National Games medallist

Manisha Kumari’s journey is not just about archery – it’s about resilience, courage, and the pursuit of dreams against the odds.

Hailing from Dohua Bagan Toli, a remote village near Ranchi, an area often shadowed by Naxal influence, Manisha’s story is a beacon of hope for many young girls like her who see sports as their escape to a better future.

Having recently clinched silver in the Indian Round Mixed Team event at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, she shared her journey with The Bridge from the tournament venue.

Childhood in uncertain terrain

Growing up in a Naxal-affected area, everyday life was a challenge.

The roads were unsafe, and opportunities were scarce. Travel restrictions meant Manisha had to carefully plan her practice sessions within daylight hours.

“The biggest challenge is traveling. My home is about two kilometers away from the training ground and the area is surrounded by wild bushes. It’s not entirely safe,” she shared.

Yet, despite these obstacles, the 15-year-old never wavered.

Encouraged by her elder brother, who was already practicing archery, Manisha picked up the bow in 2020 at the age of 11.

She approached her brother’s coach, trained for a day, and was soon accepted into the program. That was the beginning of her love affair with the sport.

Silent sacrifices

Manisha’s family, though financially struggling, stood firmly behind her.

Her father, a farmer, and her mother, who runs a small hotel in their village, worked tirelessly to fund her training and equipment.

“My mother’s earnings from the hotel help finance my archery expenses. My coach also supports me,” she said.

Despite these hardships, she never let financial constraints hold her back.

With no sponsorship or government aid yet, her journey has been self-driven, fueled by her passion and her family’s unwavering support.

National stage

Manisha’s talent soon became evident.

She participated in her first major competition at the School Nationals in 2023 and later secured a place in the Jharkhand team.

Her hard work paid off when she won a silver medal in the Indian Round Mixed Team event at the National Games.

“I was very happy when I got selected for the Jharkhand team. The more I played, the more I was sure that I wanted to pursue this as my career,” she said with a determined smile.

But her aspirations don’t stop there. While Indian Bow archery has its limitations, Manisha has set her sights on something bigger – competing in the Olympics.

“That’s why I want to transition to Recurve Archery,” she stated.

Dreams of a young athlete

Despite her success, Manisha’s daily training is still hindered by the region’s instability.

Her practice sessions, limited to two to three hours a day, are often thrown off by local disturbances.

Yet, she remains unfazed.

When asked about the overall Naxal situation, she said, “It’s fine now. There are no direct threats, but we always have to be careful.”

As she prepares for upcoming tournaments, Manisha hopes for better financial support.

“Right now, my family bears most of the expenses, but my coach helps whenever possible. I haven’t received any scholarships or government assistance yet,” she admitted.

Jharkhand has already produced world-class archers like Deepika Kumari, and Manisha draws inspiration from her predecessors.

“I have spoken to Deepika di. She is my favorite archer,” she said.

Her journey is not just about personal achievement; it’s about breaking barriers.

Many young girls in her village look up to her, seeing her as proof that sports can be a path to success.

“I want to show that no matter where you come from, you can make it if you have the determination,” she asserted.

Beyond medals and podiums, Manisha hopes to inspire more girls from remote villages to dream big and chase those dreams, no matter the odds.