Asian Games bronze medallist Harish Kumar returns to selling tea at father’s stall
Sunday, September 9, 2018 IST
Nothing has changed for Asian Games bronze medallist Harish Kumar, who has gone back to selling tea at New Delhi's Majnu Ka Tilla.
Harish Kumar represented India in Sepak Takraw at the Asian Games 2018. Not many in India knew about the sport till he helped his team return back from Indonesia with a bronze. However, nothing has changed for Harish Kumar, who has gone back to selling tea at New Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tilla.
Son of an auto-rickshaw driver, Harish sells tea in Delhi to make both ends meet before leaving for practice in the afternoon. While various state governments promised cash rewards as well as government jobs to the Asian Games medallists, Harish Kumar continues with his daily struggles, hoping for a good job in order to support his family.
Speaking to ANI, 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.”
“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 said, “I have brought up my kids with a lot of struggle. His father is an auto-driver and we have a small tea shop. My son also works at tea shop to assist his father. I am very thankful to the government for providing food and accommodation to my son. I am very thankful to his coach Hemraj who has supported my kid to achieve this accomplishment.”
Speaking of the hard times their family went through, Harish’s brother Dhawan said, “There were times when we did not have money to pay our rent. His coach Hemraj took him under his training and admitted him to the stadium. Later Sports Authority of India supported us by giving monthly finances and sports kits.. I also urge the government to give my brother a government job so that he can support our family.”
Related Topics
Trending News & Articles
Sachin Tendulkar was the pillar of an Indian victory in the Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah in 1998. Tendulkar’s belligerence won India the championship against a fo...
Recently posted . 158K views . 1 min read
Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav (Marathi: श्री. खाशाबा दादासाहेब जाधव, January 15, 1926 – August 14, 1984) was an Indian athlete. He is best known as a wrestler who...
Recently posted . 8K views . 60 min read
During the examination, it was uncovered that the CWG Organizing Committee had paid a messed up sum for planning and buys. The underlying evaluation for putting tog...
Recently posted . 6K views . 2 min read
Asad Rauf, a previous ICC World class Board umpire from Pakistan, kicked the bucket at 66 years old.
Recently posted . 6K views . 0 min read
More in Sports
Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni struggled with the bat yet again as he could only score 29 runs off 37 balls at a strike rate of 78.38 as India lost the thriller b...
Recently posted. 883 views . 1 min read
India cricketer Ravindra Jadeja made a statement at the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium by hitting six sixes in an over in an inter-district T20 tournament...
Recently posted. 1K views . 3 min read
Former six-time WWE World Champion The Undertaker recently choked up in an interview when he was questioned about his relations with his wife, former Women's ...
Recently posted. 928 views . 1 min read
Recently posted . 926 views
Recently posted . 2K views
Recently posted . 5K views
Recently posted . 2K views
Wriddhiman Saha made a strong statement a fortnight before the start of IPL 2018 by hitting a 20-ball hundred during a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB)-organised...
Recently posted. 766 views . 1 min read
Hyderabad: Delhi Daredevils will be aiming to display more impact in their batting department as they face a formidable challenge from defending champions Sunrisers...
Recently posted. 810 views . 19 min read