Veteran athlete bringing laurels to country

Reshma Kousar Vijayawada: Seventy two-year-old athlete Sanjeeva Rao Padmanabhan had won 18 gold, silver and bronze medals at the Asia-level championships held from 1994. Even today, he continues to participate in the athletic championships and comes back home winning medals. His love for athletics keeps him fit and helps him grow younger every year. He took part in many championships and still has the strength to take part in many other championships in future. He is a native of Srirangam village of Tamil Nadu but he had settled in Andhra Pradesh 50 years ago. He started his career as a tyre inspector in Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) in Hyderabad and started playing for the RTC cricket team. Step by step, he had been promoted as the divisional manager of RTC. He retired from his services in 1999. He then continuously participated in the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Asian Veteran Athletic Championships held at Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, India, and China. He took part in the 13th, 14th, and 17th Master Athletic Championship held at Thailand, Bengaluru and Chinese Taipei.A He received letter of appreciation from Nellore District Collector in 1995 and certificate of distinction from Krishna District Collector during the Republic Day celebrations. Speaking to The Hans India, he said that regular practice and vegetarian food gave him the strength to take part in various championships. He alleged nepotism in sports too like other files as many talented players from rural background have been deprived of chances. He criticised that injustice was being done to the sports persons who do not have political background. He said that the government should not waste money on unnecessary schemes but give the money to the sports persons who are bringing laurels to the State and country. He said that the Tamil Nadu government was providing all the facilities for the athletes. Hence, he wanted the Andhra Pradesh government to follow Tamil Nadu in this regard.