A.V.G. Krishnam Naidu, a 25-year-old javelin thrower from Guntur, can throw the spear long, and holds a record for throwing it 68 metres at an inter- university meet in Mysuru in January 2020.
Tall and well built, he is already billed as the next Neeraj Chopra, who speared into fame at the Tokyo Olympics.
Krishnam Naidu, who was trained at BR Stadium, lacks basic support.
He cannot afford an aerodynamic javelin, which costs ₹1.77 lakh. The inability to use an aerodynamic javelin hampered his winning streak and, as a result, during the State meet held in 2021, Naidu could manage only 66.57 metres.
But help came in from unexpected quarters.
During a meeting held by the Athletics Association of Guntur to felicitate medal winners on Sunday, Rakesh Chukkapalli, secretary of Delhi Public School, announced that the school would sponsor the aerodynamic javelin.
The announcement was followed by Mr. Rakesh assuring that he would support any deserving athlete.
Founder of the association Gera Seshaiah said ever since he had founded the association in 1973, they had conducted a number of national and State meets.
Asian Games medallist P.T. Usha rediscovered her form during a meet held in BR Stadium just before the Asian Games in 1985, and many athletes were trained in the stadium.
The speakers at the meeting demanded that the government come up with a sports policy.
Former athletes, Gajula Ramakrishna, a neurologist, Customs and Excise Superintendent K. Siva Prasad, fitness trainer Kandimalla Swapna, District Sports Development Officer G. Venkateswara Rao, secretary of the association Gera Siva Prasad were present.
Published - September 06, 2021 02:08 pm IST
