H.N. Girish, the paralympian, who secured a silver medal in high jump in the London Paralympics in 2012, is happy with the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) offer to be a coach with the organisation. Girish, a native of Hosanagar in Arkalgud, thanked the SAI for the offer and said he would reply to it soon.
The 26-year old paralympian, preparing for the coming World Championship to be held at Qatar in October this year, told The Hindu on Saturday over phone from Bengaluru that he had been expecting the offer as he had recently met SAI officers. The offer letter reached him on Friday. Soon after he won the medal in London, both the Centre and State government offered him jobs in 2012. However, he received an offer letter only three years later. Girish has been honoured with the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri Award.
“For the first time SAI has offered a job to a paralympian. This is a good opportunity for an athlete like me, who still has stamina and interest to take part in sports meets. Since I am a medallist, I will have opportunities to participate in events as long as I can. I am now preparing for coming up events. My aim is to secure a gold in the 2016 Rio Paralympics,” he said.
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Girish, who comes from a humble background, had difficulties in participating sports events. In fact, before winning the silver medal in London, he had appealed to the Hassan district administration for a job, considering his achievements in sports. The then DC of Hassan had suggested him apply for the post of Village Accountant, for which recruitment was being done in 2012. After he won the silver, the Hassan Urban Development Authority felicitated him by offering a site in the city.
“The State government too had offered me a job. But they did not fulfil the promise. The government offered me a coach’s post on temporary basis, which I did not accept. Now I am thankful to the SAI for offering me the job. This gesture will motivate many sportspersons across the country,” he said.