Attaboy! That's the way to reach your goal

VIJAYAWADA: You can see a ray of hope even in times of adversity, believes

Kola Durga Rao

, an outstanding footballer who fought against the fate to scale new heights in the game he loved the most. He was barely nine years old when he accidentally lost both his hands. Putting behind the tragedy, Rao, now 24, moved on with determination, inspiring many along the way. Representing the state in three national tournaments and Krishna district in 23 inter-district championships, he has shown the way for success.

In a candid chat,

Durga Rao

, who abhors sympathy for his condition, reveals his dream of becoming a football coach.

Tell us about your background

Though I was born into a poor family in Vijayawada, I was brought up in Vizianagaram. As my parents, who are daily wage labourers, could not afford to make both ends meet, my grandmother took me to her home. In my childhood, I used to work in the fields along with my grandparents and herd cattle. Now, I am pursing a degree course at SRR & CVR Government College in Vijayawada.

How did you lose your limbs?

This one incident has changed my whole life. When I was nine, I came to Vijayawada to visit my parents during the Sankranti festival. I was flying kite with my friends and climbed an electric pole when the kite was entangled in the maze of high-voltage wires. I lost my balance while trying to hold the 'manja' and held on to the live wires. Immediately, I was subjected to electric shock and fell off the pole, losing both hands in the process.

What happened next?

Doctors said the nerves in my hands were totally damaged and my chances of survival would be less if my hands were not amputated, I felt hopeless and feared that this situation could burden my family additionally. After selling some land, my family agreed for the surgery. The doctors were able to salvage part of my forearms near the elbow, thus helping me lead a normal life.

What made you choose football as a career?

There was a glimmer of hope for me even in that gloom.

Noel Harper

, in-charge Care & Share, saw me on the road once and took me to a home run by his NGO. He supported me a lot. I never entertained a thought that I am handicapped. To keep myself busy in child care, I took football as an activity since cricket needs support to teach. I love the game from the bottom of my heart and over the years it has become my raison d'etre.

How do you manage?

With no one's help, I can write, eat, drink and tie up my shoe laces. You won't believe me, I can drive bikes too (laughs). I still wonder why people show pity to me when I can do more than what others do. I hate sympathetic looks.

Explain about your initial days of football career

After playing a few games at school-level, I started visiting IGMC stadium. I learnt the game skills under the watchful eyes of coaches Surendra Babu, Panduranga Rao and Johnson. It was not easy for me earn a berth in the team. I had to put more efforts than what others. Initially I was unable to balance my body and could not generate speed to tackle my rivals. But I managed to overcome that problem later a lot of practice.

What are you looking ahead?

I want to play this game till my last breath. The ball is everything for me and the goal post taught many lessons in building my career. I want to play for the country and become a football coach to train enthusiastic footballers in the future. Right now, I'm preparing for a match to be held at Bengaluru.

Your message to youth.

I believe everyone in the world was born with a reason. Ups and downs are all part of the journey and we have to take them as a means to achieve our goals.