Telangana’s Banothu Akira sets Games record to win Para Asian Games silver

Telangana athlete Banothu Akira won silver in the men’s 400m T38 event at the Para Asian Games with a Games-record time of 51.25 seconds. Meanwhile, para-athletics body founder Gadipally Prasanth urged the government to issue Deepthi Jeevanji’s appointment orders

Hyderabad: Telangana athlete Banothu Akira won silver in the men’s 400m T38 event at the Para Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Wednesday, clocking a Games-record time of 51.25 seconds.

Akira, who hails from Warangal, was first spotted by Sarangapani in Hanamkonda and trained by him along with his deputy, Laxman.

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A consistent performer, Akira is currently India’s No. 1 in his event. He also won gold at last year’s Asia Youth Championship and finished fifth at the World Para Athletics Championships in Delhi.

Akira is a product of the Eenadu Group’s Lakshya scheme, which identifies, grooms and promotes young sporting talent across the two Telugu-speaking States. He has been training at the Gopichand Academy for the past two years under SAI coach Nagapuri Ramesh.

This is Telangana’s second medal at the Para Asian Games, following Deepthi Jeevanji’s gold in the women’s 400m T20 event.

Meanwhile, Gadipally Prasanth, founder of the Para Athletics Association of Telangana, once again appealed to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the State Sports Minister and senior officials of the Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) to intervene and ensure the prompt issuance of Group-II appointment orders to Deepthi Jeevanji.

He urged the government to translate its commitment into action, eliminate unnecessary administrative delays and issue the promised appointment orders without further delay. Recognising Deepthi’s achievements at the international level, he said, would not only honour the athlete but also encourage para-athletes across Telangana who aspire to represent the country.

“The government must act decisively and fulfil its promise by issuing her appointment orders at the earliest. Justice delayed in recognising sporting excellence risks weakening the confidence of deserving athletes who look to the government for support and encouragement,” Prasanth said.