Navjot Kaur, through her outstanding performance in 100-metre races at rural sports events, has earned enough prize money to buy 8 marlas (242 Gaj) of land for her father.At a sports event held on Friday in Sarai Kham village in Jalandhar, Navjot from Sadike village once again secured first place in the 100-metre race. She has already won nine cycles from different races so far.
10-year-old Navjot Kaur dreams that within the next 10 years, every third child in Punjab will be an athlete.
Born in poverty, father is a labourer
Navjot was born in Sadike village and is just 10 years old, but she has already achieved big milestones.
She says, “I appeal to all children to work hard, chase their dreams, and make their parents and country proud. I will train with a coach so I can represent my state and country in races around the world.”
Navjot’s parents are not financially strong, but her father never stopped her from playing sports.
He never forced her into household chores and ensured she got proper nutrition for running.
Navjot recalls that when she won her first trophy in the under-8 category, there wasn’t even a proper place at home to keep it, so she placed it on a brick. The trophy still exists in the housenow supported on a wooden plank fixed into the wall.
Navjot wakes up at 5 AM every day to practice and is determined to win every race so she can help build her family home. When asked what she wants to build first in her dream house, she said innocently: “A big showcase for my trophies.” Her answer brought tears to her parents’ eyes.
Parents say: “We are known because of our daughter.”
Her parents expressed their pride and said, “We have seen poverty all our lives. This child has pulled us out of hardship. People in the village and city now recognize us because of her. They say: ‘You are Navjot’s parents.’ That gives us immense peace and happiness. What more honour could any parent want? We pray that every child in Punjab makes their parents proud like this.”