Mysuru: Deepa Malik, the 46-year-old mother of two, overcame spinal tumour, three major surgeries and 200 stitches to win India a silver medal in the shot-put event at Rio Paralympics. The participants who had come for the state level Dasara sports meet were dumb founded with Deepa’s achievement and her ten minute speech.
Speaking after inaugurating the state level Dasara sports at Chamundivihar Stadium here on Saturday, she ignited passion among the participants during her ten minute speech. “I was just 29, when diagnosed with tumor. I was totally paralyzed below chest. I didn’t have any sensation. There major operations was performed, nearly 200 stiches, seven vertebral columns damaged, blood circulation was poor and I had so much medical problem which were enough excuses to get confined to a room. But I didn’t do that, as I was in love with sports. I started to dedicate myself towards sports. To start with, in 2006, when I was 36, I learnt swimming and later went on to create a world record by crossing river Yamuna”.
“Paralympic Association of India in Bengaluru invited me for playing. It was in 2009, when I was 39, for the first time I took up Javelin Throw and Shotput. Within a span of three years, that is in 2012 I received Arjuna award. All the awards and records everything mentored in Karnataka, it’s a special place for me. By just involving in sports, I was able to overcome all the problems. Sports gives self-confidence, courage to fight back and also teaches us the never give up attitude. Sports helped me to erase wheel chair in the eyes of society and also changed my identity,” added Deepa.
On the occasion, she also called upon people to encourage the differently abled to join the world of sports and at the same time requested the government to come out with more sports infrastructural facilities for the disabled. Deepa had won national and international medals in swimming before switching to athletics in 2009. She is also into motorsports and took out expedition to many places including to Himalaya.
Badminton legend Ashwini Ponnappa, who also spoke on the occasion said, “Dasara sport is a prestigious event. It’s really a great pride to be a part of the event. “Deepa Malik has shown us, nothing is impossible. Every recognition for a sportsperson is important and it motivates them to do much better”. She also called upon participants to work towards their target and believe in themselves.
State sports policy will be implemented in one or two months’ time
Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister Pramod Madhavaraj said, “We don’t want to come out with sports policy by just sitting in air condition. We want it to be a model sports policy and hence before coming out with sports policy, we are collecting feedback and opinion from various sports organisations, associations and experts. We have conducted such exercise in Gulbarga and Udupi. On October 3, we have planned similar program in Mysuru at ZP auditorium. Sportspersons who are interested can give their feedback. The sports policy will definitely help sportspersons in getting good job, good salary and also good education”. On the occasion he also appreciated the organisers of Dasara sports committee for their good work in organizing the event.
Over 2000 participants are taking part in the four day event
The participants from five divisions, Mysuru, Belagavi, Kalaburgi, Bengaluru Rural and Bengaluru Urban are taking part in the event. National basketball player Supriya took oath on behalf of all the participants. Hockey player Rashmi, volleyball player Kavya, athlete Megana and basketball player Navanitha received the torch light.
