Quadraplegic Saroha changed adversity into opportunity

MUMBAI: For Amit Saroha, life would have been routine. He was a national level hockey player, having represented Haryana in the age-group nationals. Then at age 22 he suffered an accident that changed his life forever
Saroha is a quadriplegic who has qualified for the Rio Paralympics in discus and club throw and is a sure shot for a medal in category F 51.
At that age, to lose the use of both legs would have been tragic for any athlete worth his sweat.But Saroha says he brooded over his injury for only one day. From the next day, he had begun thinking about how he could make himself useful in society.
Then he met Jonathan Sigworth, an American wheelchair rugby player on a tour of India to promote Para sports. In the process of promoting wheelchair rugby, he met several Para athletes. From there began his journey that has taken him from a wheelchair-bound man to a champion Para athlete. At the subsequent Asian Games for Para athletes, he won he won two medals, followed by a medal in the 2011 world games, the Arjuna Award in 2013 and another medal in the 2015 world championships.
In his effort to help fellow Para athletes, he has created a sweet headache for India. “I have been training a youngster who is from the same category as mine — F51. Now the problem is my biggest competition is who I am guiding at the Rio Paralympics,” says Saroha with a chuckle.
Reflecting on the day of the accident, he says: “It was a very severe accident. I was lucky to survive. There was this one day when I felt depressed and all negative thoughts came to my mind. But thereafter, when I made myself useful, I have had only positive thoughts and deeds.”
He believes if he had not met with the accident, his life would have been ordinary. “I would have probably been a national level player, even an international level player but what after that. Today, I am still competing. I am bringing glory to my country and I am happy for that.
“My life is better after becoming a quadraplegic,” Saroha, who is backed by IndusInd For Sports, concludes.