‘Mariyappan a role model to every diff-abled talent’

While crackers added to the decibel of the celebrations, sweet distribution to the public added to the mood of the event. 

Ranjith, coach of differently-abled sportspersons in Madurai, talking to presspersons said that Mariyappan had brought laurels to Tamil Nadu. “He has made all the fellow sportspersons proud. Through his feat, Mariyappan has drawn the attention of media towards the plight of differently-abled sports talent,” he said.

Mariyappan is the first Indian athlete to win gold medal in any Olympics. Ranjith also thanked Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for announcing Rs 2 crore prize money for Mariyappan. Expressing confidence that the Salem athlete’s achievement and the cash awards would definitely be a boost to other differently-abled sportsmen to attempt similar feat, Ranjith hoped that many Mariappans would bring accolades to the country in the next Paralympics. 

He further claimed that 62 differently-abled sportsmen who had excelled in National level games for differently-abled and were suffering without proper employment. If government provided employment for all the 62 national players, they could lead a decent life and try to put in their efforts to win medals at the International level better, opined Ranjith.