In the narrow lanes and bylanes of Bhopal, there is a special place where, every morning, the smell of soil, the shine of hard work, and the flight of dreams come together. This is the 100-year-old Gappu Ustad Akhada, where young players are trained with the same passion as always. This akhada is home to not only the tradition of wrestling but also equality and courage. For nearly three decades, boys and girls have been training here together. That is why this akhada is not just a sports ground, but also a beautiful example of changing mindsets in society.
It is here that Fatima Bano, India’s first woman gold medallist in the 68 kg category, can be found every morning coaching young boys and girls. In 2001, she became the first woman athlete from Madhya Pradesh to receive the Vikram Award. A former judoka who won 14 medals, Fatima Bano now helps hundreds of children follow their dreams. For her, wrestling is not just a sport, but a way to give children confidence, identity, and a better future.
Beginning of women’s wrestling in India
Fatima Bano says that her wrestling journey began at a time when wrestling was considered a men’s sport. Back then, very few people believed that girls could make a place for themselves in this sport. The year 1997 was an important turning point in Indian sports history. It was the first time that a National Wrestling Championship for women was organized.
Fatima Bano took part in that competition and created history by winning a gold medal in her very first outing. She remembers that time when people found it hard to even imagine a girl stepping into the akhada to wrestle. But that competition made her realize that this sport could become her true identity. She says her gold medal represented not just victory for her, but also a win against the mindset that tried to keep girls away from sports.
Journey from Judo to Wrestling
Before taking up wrestling, Fatima Bano was a judo player and had won around 14 medals in that sport. She says that judo and wrestling are quite similar. Both require strength, balance, and good technique. This is probably why she did not find wrestling very difficult to understand and learn. Her coach taught her different wrestling moves, grips, and techniques. Slowly, she started loving the sport more and more, and it became very close to her heart.
In the beginning, she practiced at her own center, but later she started coming to the akhada. This is where the foundation of her wrestling career was built. Falling in the mud, getting up, and standing again after every fall became a part of her daily life. It was the soil that gave her the strength and courage which later helped her become a great wrestler.
Journey from Player to Coach
Eventually, Fatima Bano decided to switch to coaching. In order to improve her skills, she completed a diploma in wrestling coaching from Patiala’s National Institute of Sports in 2003. A year later, she started working with the Madhya Pradesh Sports Department. She worked there for about twelve years and trained many players.
But Fatima Bano always had a special love for the akhada. She says that even in her government job, her heart was always with the players. She felt that if she gave all her time to the akhada, she could train more children in a better way. With this thought, she made a big decision in 2016 and quit her government job. She started giving her full attention to Gappu Ustad Akhada. She believes that if players get the right environment and proper guidance, even children from small towns and modest families can achieve great success.
When she hid wrestling from her family
The sport that gave Fatima Bano her identity is something she had to hide from her own family in the beginning. She did not tell her parents that she was practising wrestling. Her family thought that she was practicing judo. But the truth could not stay hidden for long. When she won a medal at the National Championship, and her photo was published in the newspapers, her family came to know about her new sport. At first, they did not like it. They felt that wrestling was not a suitable sport for girls.
However, over time, Fatima Bano was able to convince them that wrestling was also a sport where one could earn respect and build a career. In the end, her family understood her and started supporting her.
Challenges as a Muslim girl
Fatima Bano grew up in the New City area of Bhopal, but in the old city environment, it was never easy for girls to take part in sports. She says that as a Muslim girl, she had to face many challenges. Relatives and people around her often found it strange that a girl was practising wrestling. Many times, people questioned her, made comments, and even objected to it.
But during those times, her brother-in-law and some family members were her pillars of support. They convinced others that if a girl wanted to play, she should be allowed to play. They also said that no one should have a problem with someone’s clothes or sport. Slowly, people’s thinking started to change. The same people who once questioned her later began to feel proud of her success.
The akhada started under a tamarind tree
Fatima Bano’s husband, Shakir Noor, is also a wrestling coach and has been associated with Gappu Ustad Akhada for many decades. He says the akhada was known as “Naliya.” There used to be a big tamarind tree, and the akhada was started under that tree.
At that time, the area was very quiet and isolated. There were bushes and open land all around. But slowly, with hard work and dedication, it was turned into a proper training center.
In 1998, it was officially registered as Gappu Ustad Akhada Training School. Today, it ranks among the important sports centers in Bhopal, and many players from here have reached national and international levels.
When there was no changing room for girls
Fatima Bano remembers that when she started wrestling, the situation was very different from today. In national competitions, there were hundreds of players, but there were no separate changing rooms for girls. A tent was set up, and they had to change their clothes there.
Given such conditions, it was not easy for girls to prepare for their matches. But, she did not give up. She says that if she had given up at that time, she might not have reached where she is today.
Many champions have come out of the akhada
Gappu Ustad Akhada is not just a training center. It is a place where many talented players have honed their skills and reached national and international levels. Many of these players are now working with paramilitary forces like ITBP, SSB, BSF, CRPF, and the Madhya Pradesh Police.
Fatima Bano says seeing her students reach such heights gives her the greatest happiness. For her, it is not just the success of the players, but the result of years of hard work and dedication put into the soil of the akhada.
Girls from the akhada are also doing well
Kajal Soni, a player from the akhada, says that she started practicing here in 2023. Today, she has participated in three All India tournaments and has also represented Madhya Pradesh at the national level. She says that wrestling has not only made her physically strong but has also given her a new identity in society.
Another player, Bhavna Valmiki, says that in the beginning, the sport felt very difficult for her. But with Fatima’s training and guidance, she gained confidence. Recently, she won a bronze medal in the Senior State Championship.
She shares that once she got injured during a tournament and felt that she might not be able to continue wrestling. At that time, Fatima encouraged her and gave her the strength to stand up again.
Changing rules and changing times
Fatima Bano says that wrestling rules have changed a lot over time. In her playing days, a match had only one round of five minutes. Later, the rules changed to two rounds of two minutes each. Today, matches are played in two rounds of three minutes each, with a 30-second break in between. She says not only the rules, but also the facilities for players have improved a lot compared to the past.
One remaining dream
Fatima Bano’s dream is not just to train players. She wants her students to reach the Olympics and win medals for the country. This calls for better facilities. Right now, the biggest challenge in the akhada is the lack of space and mats. She says that if the government provides some support and more space, national and international-level competitions can also be held here.
She strongly believes that if children continue to get proper training, better facilities, and encouragement, then in the coming years, players from this akhada will shine on the world stage and make India proud. And maybe one day, Fatima Bano’s long-held dream will also come true.
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