From Tea-Seller To Asian Games Bronze Medalist

New Delhi: There is a lot of sweat and toil behind Indian Sepak Takraw team member Harish Kumar’s bronze medal at the Asian Games 2018. He sells tea at his father’s shop and also drives an auto-rickshaw in Delhi to support his siblings.

For Harish, a typical day before the Asian Games used to consist of earning his bread and butter for the first of the day by carrying passengers on his auto and practice at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in the evening. Having finally qualified for the national team he went on to win a historic bronze medal. He is one of the youngest members of the squad and has worked immensely hard.

But the medal of course does not translate into money, for the youngster still gives his father a helping hand at the tea shop.

“I have many family members and there is very meager source of income. 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,” said Harish to ANI.

Harish’s father is an auto-driver and they have a small tea shop. He drives auto and works at the tea shop to assist his father.

“I started playing this sport in 2011. My coach Hemraj introduced me to it. He spotted me playing with a tyre 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 added.

Harish’s brother, Dhawan also expressed his gratitude for government support and requested a government job for his brother.

Many people in India may not aware of what the sport ‘Sepak Takraw’ is. It is the combination of volleyball and football, played on a badminton-like court. The rules are simple, you have to send the ball to the opposition’s zone and are allowed to use any part of the body barring hands.

This sport is being played at the Asian Games since 1990, but it took India a whopping 28 years to get a medal.