With a Will to Do

Rajkot: Girish Sharma

Sometimes, winning is simply not everything. Sometimes, one has to rise above it all. Ask 21–year–old Girish Sharma. He lost his qualifying match at the Pramod Mahjan All India Senior Ranking badminton tournament today, and yet his infectious grin remained intact. His resilience has to be saluted–after all, it is not easy playing with just one leg.

The Rajkot native lost his right leg in a train accident when he was just two years old, but that never deterred him from going down the sporting alley. He, however, did have to overcome family apprehension. “My father was very worried; he wouldn't let me play because he was afraid I would get hurt, or fall down on the court. A coach back home saw me play, and it was him who convinced my father that I could do it. But my mother always encouraged me to take part in sports,” he adds. “But my family never comes to watch me play. They say that if they see me, they would surely start crying.”

Cricket and football were his primary interests, but that changed after he watched a few battles on the badminton court. “I feel badminton requires a lot more skill and dexterity. In cricket, it's just batting or bowling,” he smiles.

Girish began playing the game two years ago, and he hasn't looked back since. He is now the number one player in the country in his category (L1, in handicapped sports parlance), and has even traveled outside India for international tournaments–in Israel (where he won a silver medal) and Bangkok.

After a look at the state of handicapped sportspersons in other countries, he feels things could be much better at home. “Abroad, the government has made completely separate facilities for the handicapped who are interested in sports, and the quality is so good that many are keen to take up sports as a career. There are coaches and stadiums specially assigned for them. As a result of such good organization, there are sponsors who are willing to come forward and help.

Families allow their children to play without fear. Here, there is no such thing,” he says. In his case, a combination of help from family and rare sponsor fills in the financial part of the puzzle. And for Girish, the sky is the limit. Apart from leaving an impression as a player, he also wants to encourage others to tread on his path. “I hope one day there will be a player like Prakash Padukone in the handicapped category.” A bold aspiration, indeed, but if anyone can fulfill it, he can.

Girish has come a long way from the days he wasn't allowed to play in 'normal' categories, and has proved his mettle. He is currently training in Thane under Srikant Vad. His next target is doing well at the All India Super Six tournament in Orissa.

Source: This Rajkot lad, an international shuttler, laments lack of facilities in India, Indian Express, New Delhi, 2 January 2008.