Kerala athlete resorts to crowdfunding to raise funds to attend international championship
- Anil Kumar has to raise ₹77,000 to participate in the Asian Masters Athletics Championship in China.
- He has approached the crowdfunding platform 'Fuel A Dream' to fulfil his dream.
- Anil Kumar came first in 10, 000 mts race and second at 1500 mts event at the 36th National Masters Athletics Championships 2015.
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Anil Kumar is just weeks away from representing India in China, but he is yet to find a way to participate in the 20th Asian Masters Athletics Championships. He has already lost five opportunities to represent the country, and this Palakkad native cannot afford to lose the chance once again.
Born to a family of daily wage workers, Anil had very little to dream about. However, he was so determined to become a runner that he decided to brave all odds.
It was Anil's teachers who first recognised his talent. Though his parents wanted him to continue with education, he had to quit after Class X as his parents were struggling to meet ends.
Anil's father was a woodcutter and mother a daily wage worker couldn't help him with his dreams. Young Anil followed his dad and started cutting woods. However, he did not give up his dreams and continued with the training, in the mornings and evenings.
His efforts got recognition after he started participating in National Cross Country Championships. He participated at the 30th, 42nd, 45th and 47th National Cross-Country Championships with the support of Athletics Federation of India.
"I came first in 10, 000 mts race and second at 1500 mts event at the 36th National Masters Athletics Championships 2015," Anil told Asianet Newsable.
Meanwhile, his father got paralysed, and his financial woes were plenty that he missed five opportunities to participate in world championships. He was about to give up his dream when someone pointed him towards crowd funding. A doctor came to his rescue at first by funding him for 19th Masters Athletics Championships in Singapore.
He is now dreaming of going to China and the crowdfunding platform 'Fuel A Dream' came to his rescue. Anil has to raise ₹77,000 for the trip and he has so far collected ₹42, 500.
"This is my first chance to take part in an international event. I can't do it without help. I couldn't make it to a single one earlier as I did not have a visa and was short of funds. I want to do something that will make my country proud," Anil said.
The championship will take place in September this year, and Anil wants to take part in 5000 mts and 1000 mts.
