Kodad youth Naresh Yadav, who holds an M.Tech degree from JNTU-Hyderabad, has mixed feelings about being chosen to lead the Indian para volleyball team in the World Series in Pingtan, China, from May 6.
The 28-year-old is running from pillar to post to raise ₹1.40 lakh needed for the trip since para sports doesn’t figure in the priority list of the sports policy of either the State or Central government.
Interestingly, the Indian team features two more para athletes from the State — Mahesh and Abhishek. More importantly, this is the first Indian team competing in the world series.
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“When I was doing B.Tech from Vasavi Engineering College, I realised there are sports for the physically challenged. Initially, I was into athletics but later moved to volleyball because I love that sport,” says Naresh, who has a polio-hit left leg in a chat with
“I was selected following my performance in the national and international events and also being a member of the Indian team which won the gold in the tri-series recently in Thailand featuring India, Myanmar and the hosts,” he says.
Like all less-privileged athletes, Naresh and his other two teammates are worried about not being able to find any sponsors.
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“We have to beg, literally, to raise funds. We are trying our best and will be happy if someone comes forward to support us,” appeals Naresh, who was coached by Ramadevi, wife of international beach volleyballer Raj Kumar, for a week.