<p> As the State basks in glory with 11 of its athletes compete at the London Olympics, two officials are set to create history. <br /><br /></p>.<p>While RV Raghu Prasad will be travelling to London as a hockey umpire, Kumbasi Subramanya will be donning the referee’s role at the weightlifting contests. What makes the duo’s achievement special is that they are the first umpires/ referees from Karnataka to make the cut for an Olympic Games.<br /><br />“It’s a dream come true for me,” Raghu, who will leaving to the Old Blighty on Thursday, told Deccan Herald. <br /><br />“When I was picked with the FIH (International Hockey Federation) at the start of the year I was totally ecstatic. To be a part of an event as big as Olympics is anybody’s dream and considering I am on the threshold of achieving that feat, words can’t describe my feelings. <br /><br />“What makes me really proud is that I am the first Kannadiga to do it. I hope to do a good job there,” added the 33-year-old.<br /><br />Proud man<br /><br />Subramanya, who is third Indian ever to be chosen by the International Weightlifting Federation to officiate at the Olympics, too echoed Raghu’s thoughts. <br /><br />“I am the first person from Karnataka to be chosen for such a task. Obviously you are filled with a sense of pride. It’s a sense of honour and considering the years of hard work that I’ve put in, I feel the effort has really paid off,” said the 58-year-old.<br /><br />“I’ve been part of World Championships and Delhi Commonwealth Games, but this is something special. Hopefully I get one more chance,” added the vice-president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation who attained Category I license in 1993.</p>
<p> As the State basks in glory with 11 of its athletes compete at the London Olympics, two officials are set to create history. <br /><br /></p>.<p>While RV Raghu Prasad will be travelling to London as a hockey umpire, Kumbasi Subramanya will be donning the referee’s role at the weightlifting contests. What makes the duo’s achievement special is that they are the first umpires/ referees from Karnataka to make the cut for an Olympic Games.<br /><br />“It’s a dream come true for me,” Raghu, who will leaving to the Old Blighty on Thursday, told Deccan Herald. <br /><br />“When I was picked with the FIH (International Hockey Federation) at the start of the year I was totally ecstatic. To be a part of an event as big as Olympics is anybody’s dream and considering I am on the threshold of achieving that feat, words can’t describe my feelings. <br /><br />“What makes me really proud is that I am the first Kannadiga to do it. I hope to do a good job there,” added the 33-year-old.<br /><br />Proud man<br /><br />Subramanya, who is third Indian ever to be chosen by the International Weightlifting Federation to officiate at the Olympics, too echoed Raghu’s thoughts. <br /><br />“I am the first person from Karnataka to be chosen for such a task. Obviously you are filled with a sense of pride. It’s a sense of honour and considering the years of hard work that I’ve put in, I feel the effort has really paid off,” said the 58-year-old.<br /><br />“I’ve been part of World Championships and Delhi Commonwealth Games, but this is something special. Hopefully I get one more chance,” added the vice-president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation who attained Category I license in 1993.</p>
