Help pours in for Haryanas forgotten powerlifting champion

GURGAON: Help hasnt stopped pouring in for Bijender Singh. Barely a day after TOI highlighted Singhs plight, the forgotten Haryana weightlifting champion got a call from Gopal Kanda, the minister of state for home and sports, who promised to help the three-time gold medalist.
Not just Kanda, various NGOs, individuals and support groups have also expressed a desire to support Bijender.Speaking to TOI from his office, Gopal Kanda said Haryana is proud to have sportspersons like Bijender, who, despite their physical handicap, have the determination to fight the adversities and make the state proud.
It is unfortunate Bijenders plight was not brought to our notice earlier. TOI has done a commendable job by highlighting his case and I would be more than glad to help him, Kanda said.
The minister has assured not only financial assistance and a government job to Bijender, but has also said the sports department will ensure that his talent does not go waste. With the states new sports model and its sea of talent, Haryana is fast turning into Indias sports hub. Our players have often done us proud at the national and international levels. It is our responsibility to ensure that no talent is wasted in Haryana. For that, we will do all that is needed to be done, Kanda said.
Regretting the fact that none of the people Bijender approached did anything to help him, Kanda said, Whatever has happened in his life will now become past. His circumstances have made him lose all hopes, but we will make his dream come true. I will ensure that he regains his lost glory.
The Yuvraj Singh Foundation, which works for the benefit of underprivileged sportspersons, has also come forward to Bijenders help. Natalie Chamberlain, a volunteer with the organization, told TOI, We wish to help Bijender in whatever way we can. If he requires funds, we will get it sanctioned for him.
The former state-level powerlifting gold medallist had been selling omelettes for a living outside a roadside stall.
When he was two years old, an injection administered by a quack to treat fever rendered him paralyzed for life. While I could not even get up from bed initially, after undergoing prolonged treatment, I managed to stand on my feet, said Bijender. As I grew up and saw my friends exercise, the desire to make up for my limp legs started getting more intense. I started working out and doing push-ups with the help of bricks, he added.
After a few months of exercising, Bijender amazed his friends when he lifted a stone weighing around 45 kg lying down.
There was no turning back after that. With a strong determination to show the world that he wasnt any less capable than his normal counterparts, Bijender participated in the Haryana-level powerlifting championship at Gurgaon in 2003, and emerged winner in the bench press category after lifting 85 kg. He won two more gold medals for lifting 90 kg in the Bahadurgarh and Karnal championships.
After three consecutive wins, Bijender went to Mount Abu in 2005 to participate in the national-level contest organized by the Indian Powerlifting Association. While the expenses of winners from all other states were borne by the association, I had to pay for my travel and lodging from my own pocket. Though I felt humiliated, I did not let it affect me, he said.
However, when I went there, they mocked me saying they will allow me to participate only if I manage to walk up to the platform without my crutches. I could not. And that was the end of my weightlifting career, Bijender added.