Spurned by the larger society in his efforts to raise support for para-athletes, cyclists Aditya Mehta decided to take action. He cycled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Manali to Khardungla to raise Rs.4.5 lakh to help para-athletes like him to excel in their sport.
The Aditya Mehta Foundation on Monday presented five athletes with sports gear and prosthetic limbs. Mr. Mehta, a cyclist himself, said apathy towards para-athletes had moved him to launch the foundation.
Animal activist Amala Akkineni and model Shilpa Reddy who presented the gear on behalf of the foundation also applauded the resolve of the athletes.
Ms. Akkineni said para-cyclists like Mr. Mehta were undertaking adventures that able-bodied persons wouldn’t attempt.
Athletes who received the gear and prosthetic limbs include para-cyclist Dharmana Shanmukha Rao, Rakesh Banik and Harshit Mundra, para-swimmer Bholanath Dalui, and para-badminton player Girish Sharma.
Training
The foundation also announced that it would start training para-athletes in swimming, cycling, cricket and badminton this year with Mr. Mehta training the cyclists, through camps in Hyderabad conducted every two months.
