Lakshmi Manchu felicitates Peru Para-Badminton Championship Medal Winning Para-Athletes Anand and Girish from Aditya Mehta Foundation

Peru Para-Badminton Championship medal winning para-athletes Anand & Girish from Aditya Mehta Foundation, felicitated by Lakshmi Manchu

Hyderabad, November 6th, 2015: The two para-athletes who brought glory to the country by winning two gold medals and a Silver medal at the recently held First Peru Para-Badminton Championship representing Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF), Anand Kumar and Girish Sharma were felicitated at a glittering ceremony by Actress and Socialite Lakshmi Manchu, on Friday at The Park. Girish played badminton in a specialised wheel chair that AMF provided him with the funds raised through 'Infinity Ride 2015' organised recently from Bangalore to Hyderabad.

AMF sponsored both these players. Despite their disability which hinders training, they came out with flying colours by winning at an international level, it is truly commendable, says Aditya Mehta, the inspiration for both the players. It's a pity that such talent who brought laurels to the country was not recognized by Sports Authority of India (SAI) or even the Paralympic Committee of India, leave aside being supported and taken care off, he said.

Disability brings in enormous challenges to the players, as they can’t go to a regular training place for strength or specialized training. They require equipment which will aid their special training needs. Sadly, in our country, we have no facilities to support training of para athletes.

AMF came forward to support these para-athletes, Anand and Girish, when they were left to their means with none of the bodies coming forward. These bodies were supposed to recognise their talent, aid them and render absolute support. AMF provided them assistance in coaching with specialised equipment. Even the travel expenses to Peru for both of them was met by AMF.

Both Anand and Girish, who won several laurels for the country and AMF, say, that their fight has just begun and we along with AMF will fight for our and other para-athletes rights from SAI. We will take it to the end till all Para Athletes are treated with honour and grace and extended the necessary training facilities and support, they added.

Aditya Mehta also announce his vision of starting a sports academy for the disabled in next two years, on the occasion.