In a country where cricket takes precedence over other sports, one often hears athletes and other sports persons lamenting about the lack of funding. Worse still, para athletes are not paid any attention by the authorities. Former cricketer Virender Sehwag’s recent tweet about financial assistance for para badminton player Sanjeev Kumar once again put the spotlight on how para athletes are left high and dry by the authorities. Sanjeev, who is a winner at the World Paralympic Games and ranks 7th in the world, says, “My wheelchair is a very old one and for my swift moves across the court, I need a better wheelchair that’s lighter.”
My wheelchair weighs 15 kg. To better my rank for the Tokyo Paralympics, I need one that weighs 8 kg. Sehwagji came to know about this a few months ago and has been supporting me,” shares Sanjeev.
Gaurav Khanna, Director and Chief Coach, Para-Badminton Association of India, says the association tries its best to support the athletes. “Lack of financial support does affect the players and the game. I definitely advocate better facilities. Go Sports Foundation, ONGC, Yonex, Victor, etc., help by providing players equipment like wheelchairs.”
Closer home too, the scenario is the same. Rangula Naresh Yadav, Telangana’s para athlete who is part of the Indian Volleyball Team that won gold a couple of days back in Bangkok, says, “We are in dire straits. When I was selected for the international tournament, I couldn’t fund my trip. The government wasn’t responding either. Actor Sai Dharam Tej came to know about it and helped me financially. But there’s a strong need to develop infrastructure for para athletes,” he reveals.
But how are these lucky players supporting their fraternity? “Our camaraderie is great and we share several things like facilities, equipment, and bond big time. But if the government can give financial help, these players can bring laurels to the country,” Naresh adds.
V. Chamundeswaranath, vice-president of Telangana Badminton Association, who is known to help and encourage promising talent, has contributed '10 lakh to the Indian blind cricket team and helped a para badminton player too. He says, “The government will felicitate the player after he gets a medal. But to get that medal, he needs financial support and it gives me great satisfaction to support players who can bring medals for the country. What I am today is because of sports and I want to give back. So identifying the talent is the key,” he shares, adding, “We look into the players’ performance and their track record before supporting them. We have spotted Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu at a very young age and supported them. I also funded Aruna Reddy for special coaching in Kazakhstan. Today, she is the first Indian gymnast to clinch a medal at the Gymnastics World Cup. We shall also support Sanjeev Kumar, if we believe he has the potential.” Aditya Mehta, a former Asian Games medallist, recently launched a campaign ‘Mission 100’ to scout and coach athletes. He contributed '40 lakh-worth para equipment and funds to 15 athletes for a rich medal haul in the 2020 Paralympics. Perhaps, it’s time for the government to take a cue!
