Andhra runner Venkataram Reddy earns India berth for Asian U-20 athletics meet
Middle-distance runner M. Venkataram Reddy from Andhra Pradesh has been selected to represent India in the Asian and World U-20 athletics championships in the 800m event. The athlete’s achievement comes after years of financial struggle
Hyderabad: It has been a truly remarkable journey for M. Venkataram Reddy, the middle-distance runner from Andhra Pradesh, and his joy knew no bounds after being picked to represent India in 800 m in the 22nd Asian (under-20) athletics championship to be held in Hong Kong from May 28 to 31.
Venkataram has also been selected to represent India in the World under-20 championship in 800 m in which he also won a gold in the SAFF Games earlier besides a bronze in the men’s South Asian Senior Athletics Championship in Ranchi last year.. Venkataram, son of farmer Mogili Gopal Reddy, achieved this feat after six years of unwavering struggle. To support his son’s training and participation in AFI meets since the inception of his career, the family availed loans amounting to nearly Rs. 5 lakhs. “We do not know how we will repay the loans, but we are proud that our son will represent the country,” said a family member.
“Frankly, Venkataram has been an inspiring story of determination, sacrifice, and years of relentless training have finally borne fruit with this selection,” says M. Narayana Rao, chairman of selection committee of Andhra Prdesh Athletics Association and also general secretary of Visakhapatnam District Athletics Association.
“This is definitely possible because of the wonderful support of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP), and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI),” Mr Rao informed ‘Telangana Today’. “The prestigious Asian under-20 championship, organised by the Asian Athletics Association (AAA), will be conducted at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, featuring the finest U20 athletes from across Asia,” the APAA official said.
“The selection for the Indian contingent was based on performances at the 24th National Junior Athletics Federation Competition held in Tumakuru (Karnataka) from April 24 to 26,” Mr Rao said. “Despite financial constraints, the APAA has produced eight Asian-level athletes and two Olympians in the last six years. With continued government support, many more international athletes can emerge from Andhra Pradesh,” Mr. Rao said. Currently, Venkataram Reddy is training at the SAl Centre, Bengaluru, under the guidance of Olympian Surendra Singh and Dr. G.V. Subba Rao.
“The office bearers of APAA, along with the Chairman and VC & MD of SAAP, extend their blessings and best wishes to the young athlete, expressing confidence that he will bring laurels to the nation and to Andhra Pradesh by winning a medal at the championship,” Mr. Rao concluded. Like many brilliant performing athletes, Venkataram is looking for some sort of support from the State Government to realise his ultimate goal of making it to the Olympics and win a medal too!