Family struggling to support diver son
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 19 2012:
"We're running from pillar to post to support our son's participation in the forthcoming championship as we couldn't afford the required amount (Rs 2.5 lakhs) within a limited time" �Father of Ramananda .
THE ACCOLADES over world champion pugilist MC Mary Kom's recent bronze medal winning performance in London Olympic may be still ringing in the air making it impossible for the sporting loving people in this tiny State to stop raving.
But out in the streets, there are also many promising sports-persons who are literally begging to fund for their participation in major sports events.
Fifteen-year old Kongbrailatpam Ramananda Sharma of Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai is one such 'unfortunate' player.
Although he has broken the national records twice in national junior spring board diving and was recently selected along with three other divers to represent India in the 19th FINA World Junior Diving championships scheduled to be held in Australia's Adelaide city from October 8 to 13, fulfilling the dream of Ramananda is becoming an onerous task for his poor parents.
"We're running from pillar to post to support our son's participation in the forthcoming championship as we couldn't afford the required amount (Rs 2.5 lakhs) within a limited time," said Rajbihari Singh (24), father of Ramananda.
Rajbihari works as a private water tanker driver in Imphal .
"We've even requested the state Chief Minister through our local club to extend financial help.
But we have not yet received any positive response," the worried father added.
Secretary Sh Krishnamani of Chingmeirong Youth Welfare Association (CYWA), the young's diver's local club in Imphal, submitted an official letter to the Chief Minister in this regard sometime earlier.
Expressing solidarity to the family members of Ramananda, CYWA and a women society--Ima Panthoibi Meira Paibi Nupi Lup, are joining hand in organizing a fund raising programme by holding a tambola draw on September 28 with Chevrolet car as the house full prize.
"We're trying our best to help our boy to compete in the World championship to fulfill his dream to bring laurel for the nation.
The governments should not ignore his talent in diving," S Indu, Secretary of Ima Panthoibi Meira Paibi
Nupi Lup, said.
Currently a diver in Services, Ramananda won many medals in the recently concluded 39th Junior Asian Aquatic Championship (July1-5, 2012) besides clinching gold medal in 3 metre spring board event in the 7th AASF Asian Age Group Championships at Jakarta, Indonesia on October 7 last year.
Ramananda is the youngest child of Rajbihari and Ranjana, and he enrolled in diving at the age of 8 on 16 October in 2006.Presently, he is undergoing training at Army Sports Institute, Pune under the guidance of a Cuban coach with an eye on securing a medal in forthcoming Rio Olympics.
"Though he is young, my son is confident of winning at least one medal in the forthcoming World champion and the Asian tourney at Dubai," Rajbihari said, adding that his son's aim is to win a medal in Rio.
Comment
