Inspiring story of Girish Sharma, shuttler

Today MyIndianSports profiles the incredible story of disabled badminton player who ranks No.2 (in India) in both singles and doubles categories for physically-challenged athletes.

Girish Sharma, originally from Rajasthan, was born and brought up in Rajkot, Gujarat. He started playing the game when he was fourteen years old, and within a year he became the world no. two in the disabled category.

In 2007, he moved to Thane leaving his parents and two brothers there in Rajkot. There, he joined the Saiyad Modi Badminton Academy of the Thane Municipal Corporation located at Dadoji Konddev Stadium. The academy bears his daily expenses. Shuttler Girish Sharma, who is ranked No 2 in India in both singles and doubles physically-challenged categories, was excited to learn that he had been selected to represent the country in the 2011 Para-Badminton World Championship in Guatemala City.

He even rides a bicycle in heavily traffic areas of city Rajkot without any problem. When I went to meet him, he was on the way and I was waiting for him. When I saw him coming, he was riding bicycle so fast! I was stunned by his self-confidence. He has won Gold Medal in Paraolympic Asia Cup for Disabled which was held in India. He has also represented India and played in other countries such as Israel and Thailand. And he is going to participate in a worl championship which is to be held in Germany in May, 2009. But shocking truth is that, he receives no monetary help from State Government or Indian Government. It costs around Rs.80,000/- (approx US$1600) to participate in such an event which covers entry fee, to and fro flight charges. Girish Sharma’s financial position is not so good and still he has to bear all these expenses. This is rather a shameful truth to know that even though he leads India for the disabled, plays for country and brings Gold medals back home, he is left unrecognized.

But the 24-year- old was shocked to learn that the Badminton Sports Association of India wanted him to arrange for his own funds for the tourney scheduled on November 22-26.After Sharma won the silver medal in the national championship in Bangalore, the association sent him a letter, dated August 20, saying they had selected him to represent the country in the world championship.

But the association also wrote that he would have to arrange Rs1,70,125 to meet his expenditure, including travel, lodging and daily expenses. Sharma cannot afford that kind of money, but his friends, fellow players and coaches are pitching in as they want him to win this title.

Disabled Champions like Girish Sharma do not ask for crores of rupees from Government. Few lakhs would do. And they must get it from State or National Government. After all, he represents India and brings Gold medals for her.

Five intriguing facts about Girish Sharma:

1. He won Gold Medal in Para olympic Asia Cup for Disabled which was held in India.

2. He has also represented India and played in other countries such as Israel and Thailand.

3. He participated in a world championship which is to be held in Germany in May, 2009.

4.He has earned two gold medals at national championship for the physically-challenged.

5. Soon after, he represented India in Israel (winning 2 silver medals in both singles and doubles) and Thailand. His biggest win till date is a gold medal in Paralympics Asia Cup for Disabled.

Five lessons to learn from Girish’s story:

1.Fighting against the odds and beating them.

2. Never let yourself to get confined due to lack of resources. Where there is a will, there is a way to manage essential resources for training.

3. You may have been born poor but it doesn’t mean that you’re meant to be poor the whole life. Your dreams and determined steps in pursuit of fulfilling dreams would bring the transformation in life.

4. Passion, determination and hard work is the key to success, the success may not be immediate but it will come eventually. Just follow the path with gradual progress in that specific arena.

5. Do know your weakness and make your strengths so strong that no one can beat you. Do your SWOT analysis, so that you can identify your strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities.

Article Source: My Indian Sports