The man and his medals. — Photo: K.Pichumani

CHENNAI: The only visually disabled Tamil Nadu sportsman selected to represent India at the DSE British Open Athletics Championship, Manchester, is in a dilemma — he cannot afford the trip.

Pratap Simha Netaji, 35, needs a sponsor to take a shot this June at shot put, discus and javelin. This national champion, diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa when he was 23, is raring to strike gold. "It is important for me to go to UK because participating in this championship will giving me an international ranking in athletics. But it will cost around Rs. two lakhs for my trip (along with an escort) and I cannot afford that," he adds.

Netaji has a clutch of medals from several athletics contests. He represented India in the Dutch Open Athletics in 2001 and returned with two golds. While he often qualified for several international meets, he was often unable to go because lack of sponsors.

Now being treated at Palani with Siddha medicine, he has made several appeals to the Government to make his post of commerce lecturer at the Palani Andavar College permanent. "It would help me a great deal. That way, I can stay on at Palani and receive treatment that will arrest further degeneration. And it will also make me independent," he says. This sportsman has been borrowing his shotputs, discus and javelins from schools for practice. But schools are now closed for the summer vacation. "I cannot purchase it on my own. The equipment is too costly. If sport shops sponsor equipment for handicapped persons it would be very useful," he says.

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