About Us

Our Team

Rajguru Kochale

Rajguru Kochale

Founder & Chief Coach

Dhondiram Wadkar

Dhondiram Wadkar

Director

Who We Are

Mandhardevi is a small village, nestled in the hills of the Sahyadri range in western Maharashtra. At an altitude of over 4000 ft above sea level, it is home to many naturally gifted athletes. Rajguru Kochale, an instructor at the local panchayat school, has converted his small patch of agricultural land into a 200m long athletic track, seeking to train his students to become better athletes. Each morning at around 5.45am, a group young children, aged between 12 to 20 years, arrive there to train.

This effort was encouraged by the Chowgule Group and has now blossomed into what is now MAF

150+
Champions
650+
Athletes Trained
Mr. Rajguru Kochale - Athletic Coach

Our Mentor

Mr. Rajguru Kochale

Teacher by profession, athletic coach by passion

  • Certified WA CECS Level 2 Coach.(Middle and long distance,Race Walk)
  • NS NIS certificate coach
  • Strength and conditioning certified coach. (SFSC Level 1 coach).
  • Qualified to train athletes globally
  • Passionate about developing underprivileged athletes.
  • Coached international players
  • Trained national-level players
  • Vision to nurture rural athletes
  • Determined to build a healthier nation
  • Participated and ranked in several marathons

OUR VISION

"To create a community where no rural talent goes unnoticed, and every deserving athlete in running, jumping, and throwing has access to the training, support, and resources they need to shine at every level."

The Foundation

Why We?

High altitude center - Mandhardevi is a small village nested in the hills of sahyadri range in western maharashtra at an altitude of 4000 ft. Coaches with great experience and passion. Personalized training. Great Results - Trained athletes to reach international level. 3 International, 30 National and over 100 State athletes. In a journey, multiple players got financial stability to their families due to sports quota.

Key Milestones

1

Foundation Years (2002-2007)

🏃
2002: Started with games at Madhardevi High-school
🏆
2003: Built Kho-kho team that won at Taluka level
🛣️
2004: Trained players on roads, convinced parents to participate
🌄
2005: District Cross country at Mandhardevi created athletic culture
🏟️
2007: Built a 200m running track on leased farm land
2

Challenges & Breakthroughs (2008-2011)

💪
2008: Overcame financial struggles, funded players' kits and diet personally
🎓
2008: Completed B.P.Ed to improve training skills
2008: Kalidas Hirave and Sandhya Parte reached national level
📈
2010-11: Golden year - runners got jobs through sports quota
🏁
2011: Expanded to 300m running track
3

National Recognition (2012-2015)

🤝
2012: Met Mr. Lazarus at Panchi Marathon, gained support
🥇
2012: Janabai Hirve won gold at National cross country
🇮🇳
2012: Janabai Hirave selected in Indian Team for Asian cross country (China)
🚂
2014: Janabai got railway job through sports quota
📜
2015: 7+ National players and 40+ State players
4

Expanding Horizons (2016-2017)

🌍
2016: First players from outside Mandhardev approached for coaching
🇭🇺
2016: Akash Hirve selected for World Cross Country in Hungary (U19)
🥇
2016: Adinath Bhosle won State Gold in 5000m & 10000m
🏛️
2016: 10+ players won medals at Nationals
🇮🇳
2017: Kalidas Hirve represented India at Asian Athletics Championship
5

Transformation Year (2018)

🏅
2018: 10 new players (Sushant Jedhe, Vishakha Salunkhe, Akanksha Shelar, Harshwardhan Dabade, Virendra Kale, Sampada Dhamal, Pratik Umbarkar, Balu Pukale, Aditya Kochale, Aditya Bhosale) played Nationals
🏝️
2018: Adinath Bhosle & Aakansha Shelar won medals at National Cross Country (Goa)
👧
2018: Turning point - Girls started staying at Mandhardev
🏋️
2018: Satara Runners Foundation donated open gym
🏆
2018: Kalidas Hirve received Shiv Chhatrapati State Award
6

International Exposure (2019-2021)

📚
2019: Rajguru Kochale completed IAAF Level 1 with 2nd rank in India
🇬🇧
2019: 2nd Coaching camp by Mr. Keith (UK), former Kenya Olympics coach
🌧️
2020: Coaching camp in Nanded to overcome monsoon challenges
🇦🇺
2020: Rajguru completed Australia CEP with A grade
🥇
2021: National medals in Cross Country
(Boys U20 Gold-Sushant Jedhe, Pratik Umbarkar, Harshwardhan Dabade, Balu Pukale)
( Girls U20 Gold- Akanskha Shelar, Vishaka Salunkhe, Rutuja Sapkal)
7

Dominance Year (2022)

🏃♀️
Vishakha Salunkhe: SAAF Cross Country 4th, National Team Gold, State 5000m 3rd
🏃♀️
Akanksha Shelar: State 5000m 1st, State Cross Country 2nd
🏃♂️
Sandip Joyashi: State 1500m 1st, All India University participant
🏅
Relay Teams: 4x400m State Gold (Parshwa Kupade, Aryan Kirve, Shubham Ethape, Rohit Mandhare)
🏆
Kalidas Hirve: Pune Marathon 1st, Mumbai/Kolkata 3rd
8

Current Champions (2023)

🔥
Mohit Jagtap: 4th in Khelo India Youth Games 1500m
🏃♂️
Parshwa Kupade: Jr Nationals 400mH Silver (Tamil Nadu)
🏅
Relay Teams: 4x100m State Gold & 4x400m State Silver
🏆
Sampada Dhamal: State Heptathlon Gold
💪
Rutuja Kambale: 4th in Jr Nationals 3000m Steeplechase

OUR MISSION

"To empower rural youth by providing access to world-class training, resources, and opportunities in athletics, ensuring that every passionate athlete has the chance to reach their fullest potential in sports, regardless of geographic or socio-economic barriers."

The Movement

Our Strategic Roadmap

1

Foundation & Growth

  • Establish training facilities
  • Develop coaching programs
  • Identify rural talent
2

Expansion & Recognition

  • State-level competitions
  • National representation
  • International exposure
3

Sustainability & Legacy

  • Permanent training center
  • Coach development program
  • Self-sustaining model
Strategic Roadmap Visualization