Leaders of different political parties and representatives of various associations felicitated T.Mariyappan, the son of the soil who created history by winning the high jump gold at the recently concluded Rio Paralympics at a function held at his native Periavadagampatti village about 40 kms from here. At a function held at the Government Higher Secondary School, his alma mater, they paid lavish praise on him for bringing laurels to the country and ending the medal drought.
S. Vetrivel, AIADMK MLA, Sinraj, former panchayat union Chairman (DMK), Santhi, headmaster of the Government Higher Secondar School, R. Rajendra, physical education teacher of the school, who initially identified Mariyappan’s talent and imparted training to him in the school days, felicitated Mariyappan.
They said that the committed and hard work put in by Mariyappan unmindful of the economic background of his family was mainly responsible for his success at Rio and other major international events.
He is a role model for the present day younger generation and his achievement will motivate a large number of rural youths to take to serious sports.
Representatives of the Abdul Kalam Youth Welfare Association and the village leaders too spoke on the occasion.
Saroja, mother of Mariyappan, speaking to presspersons, thanked the village leaders, teachers, physical education teachers, college teachers and his coach Sathyanarayana for the encouragement and support extended to her son.
To call on CM
She said that Mariyappan will call on the Chief Minister to thank her personally for announcing a cash reward of Rs. two crore on getting an appointment from Chief Minister’s office.
