Disabled archers fear society's barbs more than rivals

Mohammed Mukim, 26, and Mohammed Asif, 33, have won national and international accolades for Delhi in archery. But the state has consistently failed to provide them the required support to shine brighter.

The archers say the reason for the apathy is their physical disability—neither has legs which are fitted with Jaipur foot.

“The government gives us no financial help or aid related to jobs. We have been to the chief minister and sports minister many times, but all in vain. Even the cost of participating in government-organised events has to be borne by us,” said Asif, a resident of East Delhi. Despite being a XII pass, he works as a ladies tailor at home.

“My family also considers me a burden. So I do odd jobs to earn my own pocket money,” he rued.

As a teenager, Asif won a bronze medal in the 1994 China Paralympics. Given an opportunity to represent the country by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, he dreamt of earning international fame. But soon his dreams were shattered as he received no state support after returning to India.

“We do not even have a place to practise. We cannot afford the high fees charged by the Yamuna Sports Complex. We have to go all the way to Deen Dayal Upadhyay College near Moti Nagar, which is an hour’s travel from our place,” said Mukim. He is a well known performer on wheelchair in Delhi’s handicapped circles. Mukim and Asif have applied to various agencies, including the government, for jobs, but in vain.

“We have applied to many hospitals for position of ward boys and also at other places. But nowhere are the posts are filled without bribes which we cannot afford that. Private organisations simply turn us away,” said Mukim who works as a tailor in Usmaan Export Company.

They say they have only received promises from politicians. “When all sportspersons in the country get government jobs and support, then why not us?” asked Asif.
Working and playing under pressure of earning for a family of 10, Mukim cannot practice for more than six days before every event.

Still, their group, which has other archers like Rajkumar, Uday Kumar and Ranvir, has performed well at the national Paralympics. They won six gold, three silver and two bronze medals in Ahmednagar in 2009. All of them are part of Akanksha Handicaps Welfare Society, an organisation of disabled friends.

Participating in archery events and winning prizes is their way of coping with discrimination at the hands of society.

“I play despite all odds because it gives me a sense of liberation and achievement in a context when family, society and government have almost abandoned me,” said Asif.