In the remote and challenging Lakshadweep islands, where dedicated sports stadiums are non-existent and aspiring athletes train on rudimentary mud tracks, a remarkable talent has emerged. Nineteen-year-old Mubassina Mohammed, whose father earns a living as a coconut plucker, has transcended these limitations to become the first international athlete from the Union Territory, rapidly establishing herself as one of the nation’s top long jumpers.
Currently representing India in the SAAF Senior Championships, Mubassina’s journey is a testament to her unwavering spirit. She has overcome immense challenges, from financial struggles to the severe shortage of sporting facilities in the small Union Territory, which spans merely 32 square kilometers and houses a population under 70,000.
Her trailblazing international debut came at the 2022 Asian Under-18 Championships in Kuwait, where she secured two silver medals – one in long jump and another in heptathlon – making her Lakshadweep’s inaugural international track-and-field star.
Earlier this month, Mubassina achieved a gold medal at the National U-23 Championships with an impressive jump of 6.36 meters. While this mark awaits official recognition from World Athletics due to technicalities like wind speed measurement, her performance signals immense potential.
Her gold-winning jump of 6.30 meters at the National U-20 Championships has already placed her among the top six Indian long jumpers this season. Recently, her talent caught the eye of Robert Bobby George, one of India’s premier horizontal jump coaches, who now mentors her at his Bengaluru academy, co-founded with his wife and long jump icon, Anju Bobby George.
“Lakshadweep lacks a proper stadium entirely,” Mubassina shared in a recent interview. “There are no synthetic tracks for running, nor even a standard 400-meter track. My home, Minicoy Island, offers only a 200-meter mud track for training.”
She elaborated on the daily struggles: “Rain makes the mud track unusable for both running and long jump practice. Furthermore, since football is the most popular sport here, the single available ground is often occupied, leaving us with minimal space for our athletics training.”
Athletics runs deep in Mubassina’s family. Her father, Mohammed, was a keen long-distance runner in his youth, participating in local ‘mini-marathon’ races that sometimes offered prize money.
“My father works as a coconut plucker, offering his services to the community,” Mubassina explained. “He also competed in those mini-marathon races and sometimes won prize money. I remember running a 6km race myself when I was just in fifth grade and also earned a prize.”
Her mother, Dubina Banu, contributes to the family’s income by managing a small tea stall.
Initially, Mubassina’s childhood coach, Ahmed Jawad Hassan, was based in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep’s capital. However, inadequate transport made daily travel impossible. In a remarkable show of support, her entire family relocated to Kavaratti for almost two years, ensuring she could train under Hassan.
“With only one ferry service to Kavaratti per day, returning home the same day after training was out of the question,” she recounted. “That’s why my parents made the incredible decision for our whole family to move to Kavaratti for two years.”
During this period, her sister and younger twin brothers enrolled in local schools, and Mubassina completed her eleventh and twelfth grades in Kavaratti. Post-Kavaratti, she moved to Kerala, dedicating 18 months to training at the National Centre of Excellence in Thiruvananthapuram before eventually joining the prestigious Anju Bobby George Foundation.
Under Coach Hassan’s guidance, Mubassina initially excelled in both heptathlon and long jump. This year, however, her focus has narrowed exclusively to the long jump. She had a brief stint in Kerala for studies and training but found it difficult to adapt to the local cuisine and environment, prompting her return.
Robert Bobby George, the renowned horizontal jump coach, first learned of Mubassina’s exceptional talent through mutual friends in Lakshadweep, with the UT administration also endorsing her. He invited her to join his academy two years ago, but her youth and reluctance to leave home made her hesitant at the time.
“She eventually called me from Thiruvananthapuram, expressing that she was the only girl in her jumps group there,” Robert recalled. “Knowing we have a strong female team, my intention was to expose her to our superior coaching methodologies early in her career.”
“I arranged an observation camp for her six months later,” Robert continued. “It’s not just about raw athletic ability; we also assess an athlete’s attitude and commitment for a long-term journey in the sport.”
He explained their rigorous selection process: “We evaluate based on specific parameters, focusing on both physical attributes and mental fortitude.” Robert first noticed her potential during the National U-18 Championships in Bhopal.
“We’ve initiated comprehensive assessments, including biochemistry, biomechanical analysis, and various lab tests,” Robert stated. “The upcoming two years will be crucial for her development. Once she stabilizes, especially at 19 years old, she’ll be well-positioned.” To further support Mubassina, Robert intends to visit Lakshadweep in December to meet her parents and gain a deeper understanding of her formative environment.
Robert concluded, expressing his satisfaction: “To see someone from such a small island reach the international stage is truly gratifying. I’m proud to have played a part in supporting her journey.”