Mathura: Several Indian athletes have brought pride to our nation by winning matches and medals at several international platforms. But sadly, the journeys of some of these sportspersons have often been plagued with poverty.
As per a report, Uttar Pradesh's Hariom Shukla, a world karate champion, is now forced to sell tea to earn a living. He had won the gold medal for India in World Karate Championship held in Thailand in 2013. Apart from this, he has won several medals participating in different countries.
60 medals won so far
Hariom, a resident of Isapur in Mathura district, brought fame to the country by winning the first gold medal in Kathmandu in 2008. He then won a gold as well as a silver medal in Thailand in 2013. He went on to win his second International silver medal in 2015 in the US, followed by the first senior gold in Sri Lanka. He has so far won around 60 medals including gold, silver and bronze. He also won the world champion medal.
No assistance from the government
He is now left to sell tea near a private hospital in Mathura city. While many government schemes claim to benefit athletes, but the ground reality presents a different story. Speaking about his ordeal to ETV Bharat, Shukla said that due to the poor financial conditions of his family, he was forced to start this business to earn a living and bear the expenses of his family.
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"I have been playing this sport since 2006 and won several medals at the national as well as at the international level. I brought laurels for my state as well as the country but yet to get a government job under the sports quota. I also met different political leaders and asked for help but didn't get anything more than assurance," he said, hoping that someday his contribution will be acknowledged and he would get a government job.
The karate champion further said that he practices his game in the morning and thereafter sells tea the whole day. He also helps his father Deenadayal who also sells tea at a rented shop. "From the very beginning my son is very fond of sports and won many medals but we didn't get any kind of assistance from any political leader or officials," Deenadayal said.
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