Sponsorship for my Spanish International tournament

Let's face the truth, para-sports does not get much funds from the government, we para-badminton players have to find our own sponsors or have to spend our own money in our training, equipment, nutrition and participation in international tournament.

Training, equipment and nutrition is a year long cost and can be taken care on a monthly basis. The major lump sum that we have to spend is when we want to participate in any International tournament. Usually the cost of Entry, flight, hotels, kit, insurance, etc. is borne by a sponsor (In able bodied sport by federation).

As you all know my passion for the game, I end up spending my all saving on it. Majority of my last Asian Championship cost was borne by me as I could find a sponsor to cover up just my entry fee and accommodation. As it was one of the biggest tournament of the year, I had no problem in putting money from my own pocket. Result: I won two Bronze medals and rose to #3 in Singles and mixed doubles.

Just recently met Preeti Somani at a rotary function and got connected to her, she was extremely sweet and did a fundraiser for me where she has already raised 1.1Lac on Ketto. (Thank you so much Preeti for doing this)

But nowadays spending my life's saving on a game that I play at International level does not make sense. I feel government should fund at least two international tournaments a year.
Till that does not happen, I keep on looking for sponsors and doing fundraisers.


Right now I am going to participate in 6th Spanish Para-badminton International that is going to take place from 7-12 in beautiful city of Alcudia, Mallorca, Spain. I am selling my t-shirt space to companies to put in their logo on it. There are 3 spots available of 20 sq. cm on my t-shirt. Either  left sleeve, right sleeve, left shoulder, right shoulder, left collar, right collar, right chest, left chest ,center  chest and Back(The shoulder is defined as the visible part of the shoulder on the front of the shirt).

The cost of one space is 50K. 


If you know anyone who wants to advertise their brand can use this opportunity. Ethical branding is new concept in the market and creates a huge appreciation for a brand among its customers. This will not only generate trust towards a brand but will also generate a new interest towards para-badminton.

And yes, its a great deal for INR 50K.

Day four : 11 Oct 2013 : TGIF

Today I had a holiday. Yey. I had a fantastic day. Muaah.

I skipped yoga in the morning and cleaned my living room instead. Worth it. Diwali cleaning has begun and are in full swing at my place and my mother is leaving no stone unturned this time. She saw me free and gave me a 'phatka' and 'gamcha' and a very dirty living area..thaka hi daala. Mere do  anmol hathiyar, ek hai hai phatka, ek gamcha..phatka....gamcha...(This is me after watching Ram Lakhan movie in the morning, rum pum pum rum um pum rum pum pum pum one two ka four, four two ka one..my name is Lakhan, sajno ka sajan..mera naam hai Lakhan..Eye ji...).

Afternoon was well spent watching Television. I loved 'tu mere agal bagal hai, mein tere agal bagal hu' which when translated gives hilarious answer - 'you are near(or next to) my armpit, I am near (or next to) your armpit' .Eww I know..Also be for beimann, she for shaitan, rum peeke hum BESHERAM. Kuch bhi gaane bante hai aaj kal..

From 4-6, I played my fav. BADMINTON...*swosh swosh jor daar seeti* This was the best part of the day. Our game was later stopped due to rain ;) and we had to rush home. 

I face one problem while playing, that I do not trust my prosthetic and thus dont cover the whole court. Whenever I put my body weight on my prosthetic limb, I feel I lose my balance and I feel that I may fall. Also my socket is not airtight. some air seeps in and I feel like my leg is going to come off. It usually does come off. Now I have to go to my prosthetist soon to fix these issues. 

But whatsoever, I love this game Badminton and will play even on a wheel-chair.

Then comes the evening: Yesterday Sudha Chandran had come to my colony to perform for Durga puja. I never knew abt this or I would have gone to see a legend dance. Nervermind, I went for Puja today.

The pandal was so beautifully decorated and the theme was Jamini Roy's paintings. The whole area is decorated with replicas of Jamini Roy. I love her paintings esp the way she narrates the feelings by painting big eyes. Those eyes are simple yet speaks thousand words. Mashaallah. Well decorated pandal.

One of the decoration at Pandal

The whole sthapana  of Maa at Old community Centre

Jai Maa Durga

An hour later, GARBA. 'ayee halo halo..I am writing this blog after coming from garba. Tired and exhausted

.

Garba and Mandir at Shiv temple

Me anf my mother enjoying Garba

Zeal and enthusiasm of them filled me with positivity

So to conclude, this 'one new task a day' is making me do more then one task a day and I feel I am glowing already. I have already started with cleaning for Diwali and regular yoga and now Badminton (hope I play more) and Navratri with Garba is an icing on this cake. I hope at the end of one month I have some great memories too.

Feel of a Racquet

It was Saturday. I was delivered my final socket after endless days of sweat & hardwork. I was just too happy to hold myself at one place. As soon as I got on my new feet, I wanted to Run like crazy but Alas! it was not possible. My sister and I went for a walk and did a little shopping in Chembur after leaving my rehabilitation centre. Then I reached my building and I again started walking, getting used to the new socket. I kept walking for about 30 mins and then saw my brother coming on scooter. I asked him to give me a ride.

While on scooter, I was too thirsty  so I asked him to drive me to community center(Place where I had trained myself in Badminton). There I drank water and met my old friends(Vasant uncle and Ajit). I told them that one day I will play Badminton and they knew I will do that. 

But What happened next was out of the world. I went to my Badminton court to watch young enthusiast play. On seeing them, I also wanted to atleast touch the racquet. My brother knows that I am too difficult to convince when I have made up my mind. He knew what was going in my mind so he said "chal ramvu che?" "Do you want to play?" He also knew the answer. So he just asked the people standing, for two racquets. I took one. Touched it, smelled the guts and felt an utter sense of elation and joy. For a few seconds, I was in a trance phase an felt that this is how I can reach God. Then I took the shuttle cock and hit it hard. It was not bad as i had anticipated. I didn't cover the court but it was more than what I had in my mind about me and Badminton. My brother and I just practiced till my socket got loose and till it came off. 

While playing, My brother would ask me "Kevu lage che? Majja aave che?" " How are you feeling, Enjoying?" . And every time I would laugh like crazy and say 'Yes'. I felt as If I was drunk. I had no control over my emotions. I would keep laughing and hitting shots with power. I had a new dynamism and control altogether.

I sweated like a pig at the end but the sweat was meaningful and left its mark forever on me.

Now fully charged up, I went home. On my way I had another idea, it was ' I can Drive'.

I took my Scooter from my brother, asked him to ride on pillion and tried my hand at balancing. I realized that I COULD drive. But I also knew my limitations so rode my bike for a few minutes and handed it to my brother. But one thing gives you confidence to do other.

The feeling of holding the racquet and playing Badminton was a distant dream for me. I thought I would never be able to play as I used to. I also realised that I still have power to hit hard and make my opponents run. It was a pleasure to watch but more amusing was to play. Riding a bike with little drizzle on an empty road with wind caressing my hair gently was a feeling of Bliss and Comfort. Now I am looking forward to play Badminton, Train myself using my Prosthesis and be fit and healthy. Also Now I want to learn to drive a car. This is going to be a challenge. And Dear life, Challenge accepted.