10-year-old Devesh Mahajan from Jammu & Kashmir has been selected to represent India at the World Karate Federation Cup being held at Umag in Croatia from July 1-8, but the young talent might have to give it a miss as his parents do not have enough money to pay for his travel expenses.
Devesh, a Class 5 student, hails from Sunderbani — a border town situated nearly 5 kms away from LoC. He is the only sportsperson selected from the state in the Under-12 category. His father Vishev Kumar is a small merchant.
According to his father’s estimate, Devesh needs about Rs 2 lakh to travel to Croatia to participate in the event.
“Since the participation in the event is not ‘merit-based’, the KAI has asked parents to fund his journey on their own”, Indian Express quoted Ambedkar Gupta, general secretary of the Jammu & Kashmir State Karate Association, as saying.
Following this, many on Twitter are outraged at the Union sports ministry headed by Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore with some questioning government’s strategy to promote ‘Sports In India’.
Here are some of the reactions:
Dear @Ra_THORe,
Davesh Mahajan, Kid From LoC Town Sunderbani (Rajouri) Is Going To Represent India In Karate Championship At Croatia, 1-8 July 2018. He’s Asked To Pay For All The Expenditure On His Own Cost. Is This How You Are Planning To Promote Sports In India?@Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/zUvgCVGY6k
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) June 12, 2018
These are the kind of support by tweet we expect from a sports person bhai..keep it up. We love you and would like to see you back in team.
— Laxmikant Iyengar (@Laxjai999) June 13, 2018
All r busy in doing #FitnessChallenge
India’s future lies in youth like Davesh— Princess Purva (@PrincessPurvaa) June 12, 2018
Respected @Ra_THORe sir & @Media_SAI ,
Please look into the matter pls…
Also appealing to @imVkohli @narendramodi ji if they really want to #FitHaiIndia campaign more successful, help those one likes Davesh, rising star of India… #KhelegaIndiaTabhitoBadhegaIndia
— Mr. 360’_ (@Mr_360Abd) June 12, 2018
That’s why other sports don’t make a place in people’heart .
— _0_ (@OyeeeRoy) June 12, 2018
However, there is no response yet from the Union sports ministry.
Meanwhile, Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has released half the funds, Rs 1 lakh, on behalf of the district administration. To raise the rest, Devesh’s father has written to the Jammu & Kashmir State Sports Council which is headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti as its president.
