TS body builders seek govt support

Hyderabad: The occasion was to be a momentous one. However, what transpired in a matter of few minutes after the function began were bouts of emotional outbursts; diatribe against the State government and a general condemnation of people, who gave a damn to the well-being of body builders.

Body builders of repute were on stage and each virtually lamented the absence of official patronage for a sport, which is needed to ‘tone up’ the body of every athlete, irrespective of the discipline the individual specialises in.

It made for a pitiable tale considering that people gracing the occasion included celebrated names in the sport-former Mr World Mir Mohtesham Ali Khan, former Mr Asia A Santosh and scores of others, whose accomplishments were a tad less envious.

For starters the event was to felicitate Mohammed Anwar, a city-based body builder, who survived the challenge from 200 hopefuls from all over the country to eventually book a ticket to Seoul, which is hosting the coveted Asian Championship from August 20 to 26. He will be competing in the 70kgs category while the only other Indian to make the trip is T Ramakrishna.

What’s more in October they will represent India in the World Body Building Championship, slated to be held in Mongolia.
Setting the tone for the day was the exasperation of Mohtesham Ali Khan, who decried the step-motherly treatment meted out to sportspersons from fields that were less popular even as champions from cricket, badminton and tennis, whose players mint millions but still are showered with financial rewards.

Take for instance the case of Mohd Anwar, who is on the threshold of Asian glory. A Class IV employee at South Central Railway (SCR), more than half his income is going towards meeting the medical expenses of his father, who recently suffered a massive paralytic stroke. Undeterred and bent on winning Asian laurels for the State and the nation, Anwar has been going about his daily regimen, which including the special diet, costs a massive Rs 50-60, 000 each month.

“I don’t know how to react. There is agony and ecstasy. The trips to Seoul and the Worlds entail an expense of close to Rs six lakh. It is thanks to the generosity of some Good Samaritans that I am able to get part-funding. I am determined to bring home a medal from each outing,’ said Anwar in a tone that camouflaged his economic hindrances.

Anwar comes with an incredible resume. It boasts of six Mr Hyderabad titles, four each of Mr Telangana, Mr Indian Railway, Mr SCR, and the national championship in 2014.

The more vocal outburst came from Mohtesham Ali Khan, who slammed the authorities for doing precious little to bring comfort to body builders, who were also winning laurels with their exploits.

‘I have been petitioning the powers that be for providing space and infrastructure facilities so that I could establish an exclusive body building academy.

There is an overwhelming talent in the State. Alas, they are short on exposure and a place to train. I wish to reiterate that once I get an academy, I will produce international celebrities in a span of two years,’ he thundered.

Santosh spoke about the travails they had to undergo in their avowed bid to emerge as champions across the international firmament.
Those also present on the occasion were Dr Avinash Jaiswal Professor Nizam College, international paddler Naina Jaiswal, and Ashwani Kumar Jaiswal, who moderated the function, and a host of body builders.