Eklavya awardee grateful to family, coach

Paralympic athlete and badminton sportsman C V Rajanna accredited his family and coach for his selection to the state-level Eklavya Award.

Speaking to Deccan Herald at his residence on Tuesday, Rajanna’s joy was palpable as he exhibited the awards and medals he had won.

He has won 21 gold medals, 20 silver and 18 bronze medals at the national-level dwarf badminton, two gold medals, one silver and three bronze medals at the international level.

Rajanna said that his coach Ramesh Tikaram’s guidance and his parents ‘ guidance is solely responsible for where he is today. He began his journey in 2000 by taking part in the Paralympic games held in Bangalore after which he took formal training from Tikaram. He recalled that he was active in sports from his school days and participated in various games in high school and degree.

Rajanna, however, regretted that except for a few people nobody gave him the right kind of support for the taking up sports at a higher level.  

He expressed his gratitude for being nominated for Eklavya award.  Baladevekrishna, director of Yuvajana Sene and Sports Department has gone through all the documents in detail and nominated him for the award, he said.

Rajanna’s father and retired headmaster C V Venkataramanappa, mother Lakhshmamma, brother C V Shyamamasundara and others were with him and had their happiness knew no bounds when they came to know about the award.

Hindrances

Rajanna was made to run from pillar to post just to issue a no-objection certificate to him by the police here on Tuesday.

Rajanna, a native of Kolar, has now made Bangalore his home. While applying for the award, he had given his Kolar address. As a result, the Department of Sports and Youth Services (Central) had asked the Assistant Director and Superintendent of police office to issue a no-objection certificate.  While Rajanna was issued the certificate from the sports department, he had tough time at the police department.  “The police did not visit my home in Kolar. When queried over telephone, I was summoned to Kolar. Despite requesting for the past four days, they were not ready to listen to my plea. With no option, I had to come from Bangalore just to get the certificate,” Rajanna told Deccan Herald on Tuesday.

“Many who applied from Bangalore easily got the certificate. Since, I applied from Kolar, I was given this treatment, perhaps,” he rued.

“I have not yet made packing for the award ceremony scheduled for Wednesday. Besides, I have not yet obtained admission ticket from the department,” he added.
After Additional Superintendent of Police H R Bhagwan Das intervened, Rajanna was provided the certificate at around 2.30 pm.