New Delhi: Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda has dedicated his silver medal winning feat at the London Paralympics to the disabled community in the country and asserted that their hard work and sacrifice was no less than the medal winners at the Olympics.
Girisha, who has an impairment in his left leg, sailed over a height of 1.74m in the men’s high jump F42 event in London, finishing second.
“I am very happy that finally my hard work earned result. It is a pity that in India every sportsperson gets help but as fas as para athletes are concerned, only government takes care of us. No one takes us seriously but our hard work is no less then any Olympic medallists,” Girisha said from London. Girisha is hopeful that the scenario will change for good after his medal .
“I hope that my medal will bring a significant change in India and para athletes will get their due recognition. I dedicate this medal to disabled community in India. I hope that this will inspire them to become sportpersons,” said the 24-year-old, who hails from Karnataka.
He rued the fact that despite being a big nation, Indian Paralympic contingent had only 10 competitors.
“It is shameful. I hope that we will have a bigger contingent in Rio in 2016,” he said.
Sports Minister Ajay Maken said, on Wednesday, that Girisha will be given a job at the SAI and will also be awarded Rs 30 lakh.
Wednesday also saw the Paraolympic Committee of India announce an award of Rs 10 lakh for the medallist.
“I have no source of income. My family, SAI centre Bangalore, PCI and coach (Satyanarayan) have supported me so far. Karnataka government has sanctioned five lakhs after my selection for the Paralympics.”
Girisha, who began his career in 2006, clinched a gold medal in the second Kuwait International Open and used to compete with able-bodied athletes at school and college level.
London Olympic silver medalist Sushil Kumar is his role model and he takes a lot of inspiration from him.
Girisha said that he aims to win gold in Rio.
“I missed [gold] by a whisker. I can win gold in Rio. This year there is world championship in Paris and I am targeting gold there as well,” he said. (PTI)
