Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, district magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar, will be presenting India in Para-badminton at the Tokyo Paralympics. On Saturday, he said that any player competing at the world level hopes to win a medal for his country. He is currently ranked third in this category.
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2007 batch joined his bureaucratic role in April 2020. Since then, he has been busy in fighting Covid-19 pandemic and has been setting example. He said that he hopes to clinch a medal and make the country proud at the world event starting August 24.
“Over the years, we have seen that small margins make the difference between winners and losers. I have lost games with a margin of millimetres and won by centimetres. When I compete in Tokyo, I know every player will be there hoping to win a medal,” he (38) told reporters.
“I believe in the teachings of Bhagvat Geeta. Do your deed and you will get the results. I am not putting myself under any pressure. If God has brought me to this level, then I am going to put in all my efforts,” he said.
“As far as the medal is concerned, being world number three, it is obvious to hope for a medal. But again, as it is said, you do your duty, the result is destiny,” the shuttler said.
Generally, we hesitate in encouraging children. Whatever I am today is because of my parents, who have told me to pursue whatever I want. The journey is not going to be easy but one must make the effort,” he said.
“I want to appeal to all parents, especially those who have Divyang son or daughter, to please encourage their children for sports and fill them with confidence that they can achieve anything if they make an effort. There would be wins and losses but they can achieve anything,” he added.
Suhas has previously worked as the district magistrate in around half a dozen districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Allahabad and Azamgarh. He has competed in national and international events.
