Lack of govt support: National Para-athlete meets Sports Minister Vijay Goel for job

National para-athlete Prashant Kumar Sinha, who is currently in a poor financial condition, on Thursday said he had urged Union Minister for Sports Vijay Goel to provide him with some job so as to improve his living conditions.

The 31-year-old, who is currently playing badminton, travelled all the way from Jharkhand to the national capital in order to become self-dependent. "I am now playing badminton. I play in Special Olympics as well as in Para Olympics. I am playing national games from last 19 years and I am not getting any assistance from the Government. So, I came from Jharkhand to Delhi seeking help from Sports Minister Vijay Goel to provide me with a job. I want to be self-dependent," Sinha said.

Reflecting on his meeting with the Vijay Goel, Sinha said he had a long discussion with the minister, who assured him of help. "I met Vijay Goel and had a long discussion with him. He had also given me assurance that he will help me. Only I know the amount of hard work I had put in to reach so far," said Sinha.

Sinha, however, said he is still not sure whether his demands would be fulfilled, as he had been getting such assurances since 2001.