LUCKNOW, Jan. 30 -- For young Soni Malik canoe sailing has been a life changing sport as through this she can earn name, fame, money as well as a job. Within a few months' training at Amrit Sarovar in Amera village in Bijnore, this 14-year-old girl has tasted a lot of success at the district and state level, besides winning a silver medal at the Khelo India Asmita Games. "I want to swim like a fighter fish as winning medals for Uttar Pradesh at upcoming nationals and for the country in future have been the only dream I want to achieve in the near future as I know that success in this sport can be a life changer for me," says Soni Malik. While flashing her medals, Malik not only reminds herself of her commitment for success, but also shares her success mantra. "This river has taught me to flow, and win through my hard work and every success even at the state level consolidates my belief that this sport can give me what I want to achieve in my life." In fact, Malik's journey embodies grit amid limited resources, inspiring local youth in a district more known for agriculture than water sports. Soni grew up along the banks of one Amrit Sarvovar with a small stretch of just 150 metre, where childhood games by the river sparked her passion for paddling. "While going to school only last year, I spotted a number of youths doing sailing canoeing and it caught my attention. I didn't know anything about this sport before that and when I approached coach Feroz Ali, I had to go through many tests, especially physical tests," she recalls. She passed the physical test and then learnt swimming before hoisting on a canoe with sailing equipment in her hands. "I felt like flying on the water when I boarded a canoe for the first time and even now I feel the same thrill and excitement while training or competing," she added. Daughter of a street vendor, Malik faced financial constraints, which forced her family to pool resources for basic equipment, but here the state government's support through the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate and the support of local administrative officials came to rescue her. Her natural balance and fearless rapid navigation set her apart. Her breakthrough came at district trials, where she dominated the U-17 category. selected for state camps in Lucknow, Soni adapted to slalom's technical demands: precise gate navigation amid artificial whitewater. Balancing school in Bijnor's government college with six-hour daily sessions, Mailk overcame floods disrupting training in the 2025 monsoon. "In fact, canoe sailing came into existence at this place only in 2023 when I was shifted at this venue and I saw a huge pool of talent, including Soni Malik here," said coach Khan, an Ex-All India University medallist from Roorkee. "I found Malik a special talent for canoeing and the way she is training and putting efforts on her mission, she will be a national pride one day. Currently, I have 22-25 canoe sailors in this village and they are talented enough to win medals in future," said Khan, adding, "Malik's understanding of the sport is immense and she is confident enough to win medals at the upcoming nationals." He, however, said that lack of adequate water in Amrit Sarovar is one of the major problems in the area and sometimes, the sailors are required to train in another nearby canal. "Almost all the sailors here have targets to win medals for their country in future as they find studies too expensive and sports is another way to live life king size."...