New Delhi: He gave India its first medal at the Paralympic Games after finishing second in the Men's High Jump event yet his silver-winning effort could not land him a job with the Sports Authority of India as promised by the former sports minister, Ajay Maken.
The sole breadwinner of his family, Girisha, who has an impairment in his left leg, was honoured with Rs 30 lakh cash award for his medal-winning feat but what he did not get was a Class-I officer job with the SAI despite writing several letters to the sports body.
"Last year, then sports minister Ajay Maken had promised Class-I officer job with SAI to all Olympic and Paralympic medal winners. I was also hopeful to get this job as I'm the sole breadwinner of my family. I had applied for the job six months back but yet to hear from the Sports Ministry or SAI," Girisha said.
"I even met the new sports minister, Jitendra Singh and senior SAI officials but did not get any specific assurances from them. The officials said everything is under process and it will still take some time. I don't know how long will it take to get a job. Almost all the Olympians have secured jobs but we are still waiting for it," said the athlete from Hassan, Karnataka, who sailed over a height of 1.74m in the Men's High Jump F42 event to finish second.
Girisha, who is training for the World Championships to be held in France in July this year, said he will be coming to the capital on April 20 to receive his Padamshri award.
"It's not possible for me to leave training and visit Delhi frequently. I will be in Delhi to receive the Padamshri award and will try to meet the sports minister either on April 18 or 19," he said.
"I need a job to run my family. My father is a farmer but we don't have enough land to survive on it. My family has already spent a fortune on my training prior to the Paralympic Games. My younger brother is still studying, so I am the sole breadwinner of my family," added Girisha.
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