‘Count on your ability, not disability’

Inspirational Namma Padma Shri awardee Venkatesh gives a piece of advice to youngsters

Kalyan Ashok | NT

The 53-year-old K.Y. Venkatesh from Bengaluru stands just a little over four feet but the soft-spoken sportsman has scaled dizzy heights in sports for the physically challenged and the crowning glory of his sporting journey. Recently, he was awarded India’s fourth-highest civilian award the Padma Shri in 2021 for his achievements and services to Paralympic sports.

He won his first gold for India in the shot put in 1999 in Australia. In 1994, he represented India at the 1st International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Berlin. The champion also holds a Limca Book of Records and made a world record when he secured six medals in various sports at the fourth World Dwarf Games in 2005.

It has been a long journey for Venkatesh who has Achondroplasia, a genetic disorder that causes short stature. He was initially not into sports but while in high school, he began playing chess under the guidance of his father Dr. K.R.Iyengar in inter-school tournaments.

The plunge into active sports came soon after. While he was pursuing his diploma course, a news item caught his eye. “I read an inspiring news story about a paraplegic woman named C N. Janaki who swam the dangerous English Channel in choppy sea infested with jellyfish. She covered the distance of 21 miles from the French coast to England in 29 hours. It sent a buzz and truly motivated me to take up sports in a big way”, says Venkatesh.

It was under the noted late coach Lingappa, who had trained many national and international athletes such as Ashwini Nachappa and Reeth Abraham that Venkatesh began training in Athletics and made rapid strides. He went on to play badminton, basketball and excelled in all those sports disciplines. He represented India in the World Dwarf Games in 2005 and 2009. He has won 24 medals at the international level and 35 medals in national meets. Later in his career, he donned major administrative roles in the Paralympic movement in the country.

He is now the secretary of the Karnataka Para-Badminton Association and Treasurer of the Para- Badminton Association of India.

Pleading for better support to athletes, Venkatesh said “Stadia in the country should be made user friendly for physically challenged sportspersons and we need more support from government and private sponsors.”

The Padma Shri Award was conferred on him on 9th November by the Honorable President Ramnath Kovind was the high point of his career.

“I am honoured and humbled by the award a great recognition for our sports,” said Venkatesh. Without any doubt, he has inspired a lot of physically challenged youngsters to take up sports and overcome their shortcomings.