Professional sports is a test of passion, desire, dedication, perseverance and mental strength. It is the ultimate test of ‘survival of the fittest’ and has the power to inspire others and rally entire communities to a common cause.
Amit Kumar Saroha, a Paralympian, Asian Para Games medallist and an Arjuna Awardee is the first quadriplegic to represent India at a Paralympic Games in London 2012. After suffering from a car accident at the age of 22, Saroha did not allow his limitations to restrict his life and pursued a successful career as an athlete and a coach to inspire generations to come.
In this exclusive interview with SPOGO, Mr. Amit Saroha speaks about his achievements, influence of Jonathan Sigworth, overcoming challenges, support from GoSports Foundation and future goals!
Q 1) As one of India’s top para-athletes who has won many accolades both domestically and internationally, which one is the most special for you and why?
All awards are special for me because they are recognition for performances. However, the 2017 World Championships medal that I won is very close to my heart because I narrowly missed out on a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and I managed to win a medal the following year with a record breaking performance. That’s why it’s the most special achievement for me till date.
Q 2) How much of an influence has American wheelchair rugby player Jonathan Sigworth had on your career so far?
I was always a sports person but I met Jonathan (Sigworth) after injuring my spinal cord. He used to play rugby and I met him while he was promoting the sport. As I could not play hockey anymore, I decided to follow him and started playing rugby. We travelled to different places to promote wheelchair rugby and it was a great learning experience. Seeing him do such wonderful work despite his limitations was a source of inspiration for me and a great way to begin life after my injury.
Q 3) According to you, what does the government and sporting organizations need to do to promote paralympics in India?
Despite the popular belief, I would like to clarify that both the central and state governments are supporting para-athletes. In order to promote paralympics, it needs to be done at the district level and unless people don’t see it, they won’t realize the amount of talent that is present in India. However, the problem lies because people need guidance for that talent to be exploited and they need to be aware of paralympics. The media, federations and the governments will have to play an integral part for Olympic bound para-athletes to get equal treatment as others and despite the fact that it has already begun, it still has some way to go. Before 2010 there was no equality and we have worked hard to come to this stage through dialogues and debates.
Q 4) What are some of the challenges that you faced in your journey? How did you overcome them?
When I started I had one of the most severe disabilities under paralympics. I am class 51 and my body is paralysed chest down, I can't even move my hands. I faced a very different challenge, I wanted to play but no one was supportive of my dream. I was the first person in India with my disability that aspired to enter sports. No one with my disability had ever wanted to take part until then. The federation was worried about taking the responsibility in case something happened to me during travel or practice or any other such activity. They were scared/questioned the decision to take me on and be answerable for me.
I had to fight for my right to play and that is the Amit Saroha in front of you today who not only plays but also trains other athletes. Initially, I faced a lot of hurdles to explain to people and to get them to let me play, it wasn’t easy but in Haryana we say ‘where there is a will there is a way.’ I have received a lot of help and support in my journey here and that is one big reason why I have found the success that I have.
Q 5) How has the GoSports Foundation supported you as a para-athlete?
I would say that they have done a lot of good for me. They have played a huge role in the success of Para-sports in India because they were the only such foundation that was helping disabled athletes and providing them with the support they needed in terms of training and equipment. There was no other organisation that had come forward before them that gave the parasports equal treatment and importance. Now there are many such organisations that have come up but their role has been very important and to this day they support some of the top para athletes.
Q 6) What are your goals and ambitions in the future? How do you plan to accomplish them?
Every athlete only ever dreams of participating in the Olympics; Paralympics for me. I have achieved that. Now, all I want is to win a Paralympic medal for both myself and for my country. I have won all the other championships and medals such as the Asian games and World Championships leaving only Paralympics. I am training as hard as I can to make that happen. Apart from that I am very grateful to my team for supporting me and standing with me. I am nothing all by myself. Getting me out of bed and preparing me to be a Paralympics qualified athlete is something my team has made possible for me. Together my team and I will fight for gold in the Paralympics and my goal is to win it.
