Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 6: The Special Olympics’ contingent from Orissa was given a tumultuous reception by the state association and fans at the Biju Patnaik International Airport upon their arrival here Thursday, after their successful outing at the Los Angeles Special Olympics.
Orissa sportspersons bagged three medals including two gold medals and a silver in the prestigious event. Sarita Routray showed her all-round prowess to bag a yellow metal in Unified Beach Volleyball. Rajesh Meher clinched a gold and silver medal in the 200 metres and 400 metres respectively. Coach Arpita Mohapatra also won laurels as under her guidance, female swimming team of India performed splendidly.
Prakash Rath, Special Olympics area director, Orissa expressed satisfaction over the performance of the state athletes, but also cautioned them against complacency. “We need to work harder to produce more quality athletes from Orissa. We have huge potential in the state and the talents need to be identified from the grassroots and groomed to become world beaters,” he stated.
Arpita rued the unavailability of infrastructure in the state for promotion of aquatics. “I have been training swimmers from rural areas in places which are not very conducive for water sports. With proper infrastructure, children from the rural areas can show their mettle in the national and international arena,” she explained.
Rajesh’s sentimental parents Ramesh and Binodini Meher were over the moon regarding their son’s success. “I don’t know how to express my feelings. I had never thought that Rajesh will make us proud this way. No one ever imagined that our son would do what he has done. We always faced flak for Rajesh’s disability,” stated an elated Ramesh. “I hope that after this show, he gets support from all quarters to pursue his ambitions,” Ramesh added.
Rajesh has been categorised differently-abled of mild category whose intelligence quotient can only reach up to the median of 60. He is a pre-vocational student at a physically handicapped School in Baragarh.
“Rajesh has proved that disability is no hurdle to win laurels. We are really proud of him,” stated his local coach and teacher Meghanad Sahu.
