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10-Year-Old Karate Champ from Jammu & Kashmir Faces Financial Struggles to Compete in World Karate Cup

10 Year Old Karate Champ Needs Funds for World Cup
Image Credit: indianexpress.com
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A 10-year-old karate champ from J&K needs financial help to compete in the World Karate Cup. Support his dream to represent India

In the remote border town of Sunderbani, just 5 kilometers from the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, the dreams of a young Indian representative of the World Karate Federation Cup in Croatia are suspended.

A 10-year-old pupil named Devesh Mahajan, who is in class 5, has been picked to attend a world-renowned international event through which, without any doubt, the obstacles in the family’s finances are there.

10 year old karate champion

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Devesh’s success portrays his skills, commitment, and endurance.

Although it is a place famous for its conflicts and uncertainties, and despite coming from a place often ravaged by conflict and uncertainty.

He has managed to be the only sportsperson from Jammu and Kashmir selected in the under-12 category for the World Karate Federation Cup, set to take place in Umag, Croatia, from July 1-8. Despite all this, the low road is not the most preferred way of fulfilling the dream.

Devesh’s father, by the name of Vishev Kumar, aged 40 is a small- scale grocer who has to find ways to gather around Rs 2 lakh which is the total charge of the travel.

The Karate Association of India (KAI) disregards whether the students are “merit-based” or not for the parents to provide the necessary support for their kids and thus they are responsible to fund their children’s journey individually.

To the Mahajan family, the latter is almost impossible.

The scenario took an ugly turn when the Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary (an officer),

stepped onto the scene to deliver a helping hand. Seeing how important this achievement was and its potential to serve as an example for other youthful sportspeople in the area.

Dr. Choudhary resolved to give in a part of the District Administration’s money, 1 lakh rupees, which was the other edition of the money on behalf of the district administration to quick start Devesh’s journey. This act was a flicker of hope in despair of the little athlete and his family.

However, even with the support of the district administration, Devesh + still faces a large deficiency. To try to fill that gap.

Dr. Choudhary has sent a letter to the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council, which is headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, and asked for another Rs 1 lakh to cover the rest of the money.

In a move that underscores the influence of social media in the consolidation of backing, Dr. Choudhary, apart from that, posted an appeal on Twitter that demanded the public step up and help Devesh.

“Devesh Mahajan from LoC town Sunderbani will represent India in the Karate championship in Croatia from 1 to 8 July 2018.

You can support him,” he tweeted, hoping to attract the attention of philanthropists and sports enthusiasts alike.

Devesh’s path up to this point has been very impressive. A student + at B P World School in Sunderbani. Devesh has been part of the Jammu and Kashmir state team at the Karate national championships three times.

He also took the silver medal in the national kick-boxing championship organized in Chhattisgarh and the gold medal in the All India Shito Ryu Seiko Kai Karate Championship, which was with the dedication of Maharaja Hari Singh at the MA Stadium in Jammu later last year.

Youthful Devesh, the best karate champion, is glowing with passion and diligence for his sport.

The only 5-year-old, Devesh became a part of Karate, Kick-boxing, and Wushu, performing along with his guidance Charan Singh Salathia in a private school cemented ground.

The shortage of products and resources was not able to prevent this. Instead, he got more determined and succeeded.

“Despite no facilities for practice, he still appeared to be dedicated towards the game,” Salathia said, pleased with Devesh’s toughness.

10 Year Old Karate Champ Faces Financial Hurdle to Compete for India

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According to the passage, Devesh’s parents have had an emotional roller coaster when it comes to their son’s passion.

They always backed his interest in karate and have never been on his neck to bring them the medals home, even when he came back from the competitions in Delhi without one two or three times. “As long as he excels in whatever field he opts for and creates the assets for the state and the city, I will approve him,” says Vishev Kumar, filled with pride in his voice.

However, not everyone has been able to provide the support Devesh needs. When the young athlete and his family approached the local congressional candidate at the BJP race and the new state president, Ravinder Raina of the party, for financial aid, they were sad to hear his reaction.

As per Devesh’s dad, the MLA has mentioned that he can’t provide help, and so solo, they advocated for acquiring a grant to build new structure. “He asked us if we wanted a transformer installed or our lane repaired,” Vishev remembers.

After feeling empty the circle still showed optimism by saying to MLA that all they only wanted blessings.

The challenges notwithstanding, Devesh and his family remain optimistic about the state’s financial support, with more hope pinned on the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, who, in the past, has been a vigorous supporter of the promising athletes.

They think the life of Tajamul Islam is a driving force to them. Her rising from a young Jammu and Kashmir athlete to one of the world’s kick-boxing champions is possible due in no small part to the Chief Minister’s support.

Devesh, the representative of India on the international stage, will prove that he can break all the odds and stand up even if he is from a very small town located near the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

The keys to undergoing it are hard work, determination, and also the little help that aids him, which comes from the people who trust him.

The World Karate Federation Cup is getting closer; thus, the question remains: Will Devesh get the financial support he needs to make his dream a reality?

Devesh is concentrating on winning the competition, and therefore, he is firmly resolved. Even though the question of whether he will go to Croatia or not is looming large, he is hell-bent on shooting if he gets the chance to run.

The young man’s eyes are focused on the police service and other things. Devesh told the police that it was his dream to be with them and that, on the other hand, he desired to protect the people and the country of his citizenship.

In a locality where the situation is of less opportunities and more adversities, Devesh’s story shines and brings hope. It lets us not forget that it is possible for talents and committed people to come in from the most set aside spots, and with the right backing, difficult barriers can be overcome.

While the world was witnessing with curious eyes and waiting eagerly, one thing was very certain – Devesh Mahajan is a young athlete with a bright future and his course from the LoC to Croatia is certainly a journey to be recounted. Whether he wins the funding necessary for competing in the World Karate Federation Cup or not, Devesh has already touched the fancies of hundreds of hearts, showing that the spirit of a true champ is phenomenal.

Reference:

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/jammu-and-kashmir-boy-selected-for-world-karate-federation-cup-but-family-cannot-fund-travel-5215526/

https://www.inuth.com/sports/other-sports/no-place-for-karate-in-india-10-yr-old-jk-boy-struggling-for-funds-to-represent-country/

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