This is a very depressing story of Harish Kumar, the Asian Games bronze medalist and a member of the Indian sepak takraw team who is still struggling to meet his basic needs. Well, his financial condition has still not changed and he has now gone back to selling tea at New Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tilla one again.
From selling tea to winning bronze at the #AsianGames: The journey of #HarishKumar.#AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/u36Hq4OdIW
— InUth (@InUthdotcom) September 7, 2018
Harish, who is the son of an auto-rickshaw driver sells tea in Delhi to make both ends meet before going for practice in the afternoon. As always, various state governments have promised government jobs as well as cash rewards to Harish. Unfortunately, Harish still continues with his daily struggles and hopes for a good job to support his family.
Harish said, “I have many family members and there is a very meagre source of income. I help my father at the tea shop to support my family.”
“I dedicate four hours every day between 2 to 6 for my practice. For my future, I want to get a good job to support my family,” he added.
Meet Harish Kumar Asian Games bronze medalist:
Dear @ArvindKejriwal ji, this is Asian Games Medalist Harish Kumar who has just made India proud. Now selling tea in Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tila. What a shame for all of us 💔 @Ra_THORe pic.twitter.com/dircCCKp31
— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) September 8, 2018
Sharing his struggles, “I started playing this sport from 2011. My coach Hemraj brought me into this sport. We also used to play with a tyre when my coach Hemraj spotted me and introduced me to the Sports Authority of India (SAI).”
“Thereafter I started receiving monthly funds and kits. I practice every day and will keep on doing it to bring more laurels for my country,” he said.
Harish’s mother, Indira Devi further revealed that she has brought up her kids with a lot of struggle. His father has an auto-driver and has a small tea-shop too. In order to help his father, his son too works at tea-shop.
She revealed that she is very thankful to his coach Hemraj who has supported her son to realize his dreams.
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Harish’s brother Dhawan spoke about those times when they did not have money to pay their rent. While his coach Hemraj had decided to take Harish under his training and had even admitted him to the stadium. Further, he said that Sports Authority of India supported them by providing sports kits and monthly finances too.
“I also urge the government to give my brother a government job so that he can support our family,” he said.
Well, this si a very sad story of Harish Kumar who has given such a phenomenal performance in Asian Games 2018.
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