Perfection in imperfection

Girisha HN, a Paralympian from Hassan district, Karnataka, has never left a chance to make our country proud. He has participated in London Paralympic Games 2012 and won a silver medal. Adding to it, he was honored by Government of India with Padma Shri and Arjuna Award. He also started with an academy- Paralympics Sports Authority of India one year ago through which he is helping physically challenged people to represent our country in the field of sports.

Paralympics is growing and getting recognition in sports world because of the government’s support but before 2012 no one actually knew about Paralympics. It is in 2012, when Girisha won a Silver Medal in London Paralympics Games that these games were introduced to our country and were massively covered by media.

“I come from a poor rural background and I see more disabled people in rural areas developing talents which can be used in the area of sports. We want to find athletes and support them. The academy I started needs monetary and other sorts of help. We can find players but corporate and government has to come in together for us. I am a sports person and I know nothing beyond it. All I know is that even sports are one big asset for our country and it can give a way better life to the person who participates,” says Girisha HN.

He says that if government and corporate come together then even disabled people would be able to contribute to the development of the country. “We also have same rights as of other citizens of this country. Everyone knows what Paralympics is and a lot of people want to participate but they do not have the right information and even their family members do not encourage them.”

Talking about PSAI (Paralympics Sports Authority of India), Girisha says, “Last year we organized a national event for Athletics championship where we found a lot of good sportsmen and these people have also fetched us medals in Asian Games. They have got benefits from government which encourages them to keep participating further. However, the winners of Olympic Games get all the attention but people have to realize that even Paralympics is of the same standard and equally difficult and honorable. Paralympics Games is something that would inspire everyone.”

“We don’t want sympathy, we want opportunity. Just encourage our talent.”

Participating for the first time ever in Paralympics in 2006, Girisha made national record in High Jump and for next many years he remained a champion since no one could touch his record. He also participated in Junior Championships in many countries without any support. “My parents and friends never supported me when I began my career in sports because we barely had money to eat and make our living. But I could never leave sports. In 2009, I had to quit it and took up a job in a corporate bank. However, I kept my practice on. Then in 2011, I was encouraged by my coach to participate in qualification round of Olympic Games. My bank also supported me and said if I win, I will be permanent employ for them.

I happen to win a Gold Medal in the 2nd International Kuwait Open Athlete Championship. I came back to the bank and they gave me the job. However, I had to give it up because I had to start training myself for London Olympics.”

Sharing his London Olympic experience, Girisha said, “Mentally I was prepared that this is my country and these are my people and so on. I wanted to get medal and for me only participation wasn’t going to be a solace. I remember when I went and stood amidst the crowd of around 80,000 people, I was quite excited but nervous too yet I didn’t let that affect my performance. I have always won in London and it is my lucky place. Now, I am preparing myself for forthcoming Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.”

Girisha later shared his workout regime with us, “I workout for 4-5- hours wherein I wake up early morning around 5 am to meditate then around 6 I go for running and do normal exercises especially stretching and jumping exercises. I also like playing Badminton and probably would take up this sport after retiring from Athletics; usually, for 2 days in a week I workout in Gym.”

His record has been 1.85 Meters in high jump and aims at returning all the love to the society in the form of small things he can do for Athletes. Further, sharing his good moments, he spoke how honored he felt when Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was serving as Chief Minister of Gujarat back then, congratulated him and also, Ajay Makkan, former sports minister. He also shared that his favorite sportsman is Sachin Tendulkar, who not only congratulated but also felt proud. However, for him the best moment remains the one when he presented the Silver medal as a gift to his mother.

“Attitude is what you have to change towards everyone who is negative towards you. Make a change in your life and be confident about what you do.”

Ending the conversation with us, Girisha commented about how important it is to have every facility in regional language too, “It is very important for the government to understand that the facilities of education in rural areas are not so good so they should encourage regional language as well. A lot of people are lacking behind because of not having good communication skills, especially in English.” Also, he informed us that the Government is now opening up two sports centers for physically challenged around Chandigarh and Andhra Pradesh and is planning to give INR 200 Crore to develop separate Sports Authority of India Centre for Disabled Athletes. Kudos to him and his spirit of moving ahead in life!