A 34-year-old bus conductor of Maharashtra State Regional Transport Corporation’s (MSRTC) bagged two gold medals in javelin and discus throw at the Torno 2013, Master Games at Turin, Italy in August 2013.
Abasaheb Gaikwad hails from the drought-affected Atpadi Taluka in Sangli district, and is the sole breadwinner of the family. Despite his achievements, his financial circumstances remain abysmal. Although four cabinet ministers have been elected from the district, none of them have offered any kind of support.
“My father was rendered bed-ridden after he suffered a paralysis attack when I was still in Class 9. After completing my HSC, I joined MSRTC as the family’s responsibility came on my shoulders,” said Mr Gaikwad.
He has only rudimentary training given by his physical training (PT) teacher at Jawaharlal Nehru High School in Shetphale village. So far, he has collectively bagged 13 gold, eight silver and two bronze medals in national and international games.
“I trained him just like I would any other student. But it was his interest in sports that has kept him going even now. It was his hard work and dedication that has earned him the two golds. If he were to get a professional coach, he would win many gold medals,” said Mr Gaikwad’s PT teacher, Shatrughna Gaikwad.
Speaking to this newspaper, the medallist said, “Last year, I’d got a chance to go to the Asia Masters Athletics Championship in Taipei in November, but the games were cancelled for some reason. I continued my practice and later participated in the qualifying games in Kerala. I’m grateful that my office always supported me in realising my dreams.”
The MSRTC did not support him officially, but Mr Gaikwad’s friends and social service organisations like Medical Association of Apadi collected money to fund his trips.
“People from my village, (Shetphale) collected `1.75 lakh and the department donated from helper fund. I took a loan to bear the expenses of the trip,” he said, adding that the apex body, Masters Athletics Federation of India too, extended its guidance in visa and other administrative formalities.