For more than 12 years martial arts expert Patan Jameel Khan has been running from pillar to post to secure a job. His feats, which include winning medals in several national level and international level competitions, have not fetched him any rewards or financial security.
Born in Khammam to a family of vegetable sellers, he took up martial arts when he was 15 years old. After he had achieved some degree of knowledge and skill in his chosen sport, he shifted base and began providing free coaching to schoolchildren in Mancherial.
In 2000, he shifted to Hyderabad, and his passion for achieving excellence drove him on to acquire black belts in kung fu and taekwondo and also a certain level of expertise in kick boxing.
He managed to obtain a sponsorship to take part in the World Karate Championship in Malaysia in 2004. His next international exposure was at the New York Open Taekwondo Championship in 2008 and again in 2010 where he picked up medals. He again repeated the feat in 2011.
In 2012 he took part in the US Capitol Classic Tournament in Washington DC and the Tournament of Champions, USA, and in both tournaments he again bagged medals. His trip this time was sponsored by the Family Club, New Bowenpally, which provided his tickets to the US.
After reaching the US, in between tournaments, he took up coaching children of non-resident Indians there to supplement his income.
In Hyderabad, he gives coaching to students of Safdaria Girls High School, Humayun Nagar, but his income is paltry.
He has been trying to land a coaching job with a government organisation, but luck has not been on his side.
As of now Jameel waits in the hope that his achievements will finally be recognised and rewarded.
