Seema, a 24-year-old long-distance runner from Reta village, Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, clinched a historic silver medal in the women’s 5,000m at the 2025 World University Games in Rhein-Ruhr, Germany. Clocking an impressive 15:35.86, Seema overcame the loss of her father at a young age, years of barefoot training on rough terrain, and a frustrating administrative error that barred her from competing in the 10,000m event.
Her perseverance, combined with her mother’s sacrifices and dedicated coaching abroad, have made her not only an athlete to watch but a symbol of hope for countless girls from underprivileged backgrounds across India.
Seema’s Journey: From Barefoot Fields to Silver Medals
Seema’s story is one of determination shaped by early adversity. Born and raised in a remote village in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, she spent her childhood helping herd cattle across uneven terrain without shoes. When her father passed away suddenly when Seema was just 12 years old, her family plunged into financial uncertainty. Nevertheless, her mother became the backbone of her dreams, taking on multiple jobs to support Seema’s budding athletic pursuits.
Despite limited resources, Seema trained relentlessly, often running barefoot, which built her resilience and endurance. Her hard work caught the attention of coach Scott Simmons, who invited her to train in Colorado Springs under more optimal conditions, giving her access to state-of-the-art facilities and strategic guidance.
At the World University Games, Seema’s race strategy reflected her maturity as an athlete. She paced herself in the early rounds and unleashed a powerful surge in the final 800 meters, edging past strong international contenders, including formidable runners from Britain and France. Her silver medal is a first for India in this event at these Games, underscoring her place on the global athletics map.
Administrative Negligence and Lost Opportunities
While celebrating her milestone, Seema’s story also brings to light systemic issues within Indian sports administration. Despite being a prime candidate for a medal in the 10,000m event, Seema was inexplicably excluded due to a clerical error by sporting officials. This oversight robbed her of a chance to compete and possibly secure another medal.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from sports communities and advocates demanding stronger accountability and improved athlete management protocols from the Association of Indian Universities Sports Board and related authorities. Seema’s achievement not only breaks new ground for Indian athletics but also inspires grassroots sports development, encouraging young athletes from remote areas to dream big and pursue international success with relentless dedication.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Seema’s journey embodies not just athletic excellence but the triumph of spirit over socio-economic constraints and bureaucratic hurdles. Her success highlights the importance of identifying and nurturing talent beyond urban centres, ensuring athletes from marginalised regions genuinely receive the support they deserve.
At The Logical Indian, we see her story as a clarion call for empathy, equity, and good governance within Indian sports. The systemic lapses she faced underline the need for transparent, athlete-centred administrations that empower rather than hinder their own champions.
Seema seals Silver🥈for India 🇮🇳 at the #WorldUniversityGames 2025.
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) July 27, 2025
The 24-year-old clocked a season-best time of 15:35.86 minutes in the Women’s 5000m, securing India’s second medal in athletics at the event.
Congratulations, Seema! #UniversityGames | #IndianAthletics |… pic.twitter.com/I5bcWDQqmQ
