Chamba's para-shuttler strikes gold in Uganda
Chamba, July 9
Aman Thakur, a player belonging to the Chamba District Para Sports Association, won a gold medal in the international para-badminton competition held in Kampala, Uganda, from July 1 to 7.
Congratulating Aman Thakur on his feat, Ajay Sharma, founder and secretary of Chamba Para Sports Association, said he had become the first athlete from Himachal Pradesh to win a gold medal in para-badminton for the country.
Aman hails from Runega village of Karian panchayat in Chamba. His father Daya Ram is an employee at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla.
At the age of 18, Aman suffered a major injury in his leg while playing and had to undergo a surgery. Currently, he is pursuing his MA from Sanjauli college.
Aman credits Sunny Papta, coach at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in Shimla, for helping him hone his skills. He also expressed gratitude to his parents, Himachal Pradesh Para Badminton Association president Lalit Thakur and other officials of state and district para-sports associations for their guidance that enabled him achieve success at the international level.
In the semi-final match, Aman suffered swelling in his leg, but he fought through to secure victory by a narrow margin. The next day, he delivered an outstanding performance in the final and clinched the gold medal.
Meanwhile, officials of the Chamba District Para Sports Association have expressed optimism that many young athletes will be inspired by Aman’s success and will strive to bring more medals to the state in future.
