18th Asian Games Bronze Winner Harish Kumar Resumes Tea Selling on Returning Home

Whether you call it irony or destiny, but this is the bitter truth that after making his nation proud in the recently held 18^th Asian Games, Harish Kumar, a bronze medalist in Sepak Takraw, is back to resume his job as a tea seller. Harish, who was earlier a tea seller in his father’s tea shop based in Majnu-Ka-Tilla in Delhi, has won a bronze medal in the Asian games as a part of his Indian team. But despite being promised to be paid cash towards for their bright performances in the sports event by the Delhi government, Harish is forced to resume his old means of earning for livelihood.

Harish said, “I have many family members and there is a very meagre source of income. I help my father at the tea shop to support my family. I dedicate four hours every day between 2 to 6 for my practice. For my future, I want to get a good job to support my family.”

Hopeful for attaining a permanent and supportive job in the future, Harish says that his family is his responsibility and he must earn for his family which is pretty big in size.

Speaking about the sports which he likes playing and has earned fame lately for which, Harish said, “I started playing this sport from 2011. My coach Hemraj brought me into this sport. We also used to play with a tyre when my coach Hemraj spotted me and introduced me to the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Thereafter I started receiving monthly funds and kits. I practice every day and will keep on doing it to bring more laurels for my country.”

The national player discloses how tough it is for them to survive and afford their daily needs. Harish’s family has, however, appreciated the funding and sports aid provided by the government which was mandatory for Harish to survive in the sports world. His mother recalls how the government aid helped her son to avail food and shelter during his preparation period. Harish’s brother expressed his gratitude to the Sports Authority of India for sponsoring his brother’s training. All he requests now is a government job for his brother so that Harish can take care of his family.