An unfortunate accident three years ago failed to break the steely resolve of young Anuj Singh to excel in water sports. The accident physically impaired Anuj but he is bravely battling Government apathy to fulfil his dream to win a medal at the Paralympic games.
A resident of Chamoli district, Anuj was attracted to water sports canoeing when he was in the school. After the death of his father who was in the army, Anuj shifted to his uncle's house in Roorkee. The water sports facility at Sonali near his home became his favourite place as he spent long hours learning the basics of the game from his coach Ramashankar. An accident in the year 2011 shattered the hopes of young Anuj and his family. A speeding truck hit his bicycle; due to the accident his right foot below the knee had to be amputated.
Recalling those dark days, Anuj became emotional, "My uncle and my family helped me to overcome that bad phase of my life." Doctors attached an artificial limb to replace the amputated portion of his leg. Gradually, Anuj regained his confidence and the flame of his love for water sports rekindled. Due to dearth of funds, Anuj practices on the normal canoeing boat in Sonali canal (Old Ganga Canal).
His mentor and State treasurer of the Uttarakhand Association of Kayaking, Canoeing and Rafting, Manoj Rawat, appreciates the resolve of Anuj. He told this correspondent that Anuj has potential to win gold medal in the Paralympics slated to be held at Rio-de-Janeiro in Brazil next year. The record of Anuj in the last three years bears testimony to the confidence of Rawat. Anuj has won four gold medals in the national games and managed to reach to the finals of the World Championships last year.
Anuj, however, is feeling dejected as the much hyped new sports policy of the State envisages only Rs2 lakh for a gold medal winner in the Paralympics. He told The Pioneer that the special canoeing boat for the physically impaired costs about Rs3.5 lakh, which he cannot afford to buy. Anuj is also pursuing his studies and he is in the final year of the three-year B.Com course.
The amputee sportsperson is hopeful of a good show in the international events as his best timing in 200 metre canoeing is 48 seconds which he clocked in last year's national championship.
The absence of funds, however, is not deterring Anuj and his immediate aim is to qualify for Paralympic games by securing a place in the finals of World Championship in Italy slated in the month of August this year.