In an bid to bring about a wider recognition of the popular Indian sport of wrestling, Sahyadri Industries has teamed up with city-based nonprofit sports organisation Lakshya to offer support to a couple of talented budding wrestlers, and plans to further their potential and help see them in the big leagues someday. The two wrestlers that have been chosen for the SIL Sponsorship are Ranjeet Nalawde, gold medallist at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, and Sagar Birajdar, who is not only the Junior National Champion, but also the son of renowned wrestling coach and Dronacharya awardee Harishchandra Birajdar, under whom both the boys are currently training.
Sahyadri Industries will take care of all aspects of the duo?s training and competition sponsorship, while Lakshya?s role will be to administer and guide their blossoming careers.
?We have identified new talent, will add value to their talent and take them to the next level, and we will assist these young stars in any way we can, to capitalise on their potential and realize their dream of winning laurels for our country. Mr Patel added that his company had conducted a deep study of the sport and found that India could be one of the superpowers of wrestling if the players were supported early. ?We will take care of all the allied support to Nalawde and Birajdhar – whether physical training using modern methodology, their diet plans, or their mental toughness in consultation with their coach,? he stated.
?We are aware that wrestling has been a traditional sport with its own training methodology and we would like the same to continue, but will attempt to add a modern touch to allied training activities,? he added.
Speaking on behalf of Lakshya, their representative Manish Jain said ?We are very happy that corporate India is showing interest in sports, and are enthusiastic about Sahyadri?s new association with this cause.? ?We are happy that Ranjeet Nalawde and Sagar Birajdhar will make maximum use of the support and inspire hundreds of other wrestlers from our country to train and play the sport professionally,? he added.
The sponsorship will help the players to train abroad, and take part in events in the country and abroad, provide them with proper sports kits. Sunder Iyer, executive secretary of Lakshya, also announced the appointment of former wrestler Rahul Kalbhor as a consultant. Kalbhor will work closely with Birajdhar and his inputs will give a new dimension to the two youngsters? training. The son of a farmer from Bhanage in Kolhapur who took a huge gamble eight years ago by selling a part of his land to finance his son’s sporting career, Nalawade justified every square inch of the two acres that his father had to sell by winning gold in the 63-kg category at the III Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune
?I am indebted to my parents and my coach for all the support they have given me, I am sure I will do full justice to this gesture from SIL and win laurels for the nation,? he said.
Wrestling runs in 15-year old Birajdhar?s blood, and he is now considered one of the most promising junior wrestler from the state. After just being initiated into competitions fairly recently, the young wrestler made waves by winning the state junior championships and making it to the national junior camp.
?I want to represent the country and live up to my father?s legacy,? he stated with confidence.