JOIN USWithout much support from the authorities and fighting the odds with determination, India’s dwarf athletes produced a fine performance in the recent World Dwarf Games in Guelph, Canada.
The 21-member contingent returned with a haul of 36 medals, including 14 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze. Joby Mathew of Kerala led the chart for India with six medals. Bengaluru’s C V Rajanna won gold medals in the 200 metres and badminton singles. His state-mate Devappa More clinched gold in the 100 metres.
The fact that the players hardly had any government support puts their feats in perspective. Although on the personal front, it did prove costly as most of the athletes had to take loans to travel to Canada.
Bengaluru’s Prakash M, who claimed gold in Boccia event, explained the struggles he had to endure just to reach the venue. “I didn’t not even have a coach. I had to finance my journey through a loan of Rs 2,50,000 which I borrowed at an interest rate of 4 percent. My sister also contributed to my cause by mortgaging her jewellery,” Prakash said.
Their excellent showing drew praise from the Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel, who tweeted, ‘Brilliant! So proud of the contingent’. But the financial support that the athletes need from the government was non-existent.
“I wish there is more co-operation from them. Because we have put in great effort for this but the result in terms of appreciation and support is minimal. The government does show us the support (in tweets) but the actual work does not seem to happen,” he said. “I have studied up to SSLC and have been jobless for the past three years. And I know that I can do wonders with greater support from the authorities,” Prakash added.
The 27-year-old also spoke about the support they received from various organisations with Indian roots in Canada.
“It was no less than a miracle, the Telugu Alliances of Canada (TACA) and Kannada Sangha came forward to support and help us financially,” Prakash said.