“I do not have a disability, I have a gift! Others may see it as a disability, but I see it as a challenge. This challenge is a gift because I have to become stronger to get around it, and smarter to figure out how to use it. These words of Shane E Bryan has been continuously boosting my morale since childhood”, said differently- abled Sangeeta Masih of Durg, who had been excelling big time in national para sports championships since a decade, and thereby bringing laurels to Chhattisgarh. Sangeeta has been suffering from physical impairment in both hands right from her birth. But, this iron-willed girl had decided to carve a niche of her own in the field of para-sports. Thanks to her dedicated training, she had become para sportswoman par brilliance and had been performing stupendously in discus throw, shot put, javelin throw, fencing, 100 meters running and long jump. By her incredible struggle and determination, this 29-year-old girl has been successful in bagging 18 medals in various national para sports tournaments held at Bangalore, Bilaspur, Ghaziabad, Panchkula, Jaipur and Raipur. This girl with never-say-die spirit had been participating in national competitions since 2011 and has achieved 9 Gold, 6 Silver and 3 Bronze medals till now.

 

“I have the highest number of medals amongst all the para athletes of Chhattisgarh”, said Sangeeta proudly. Recognizing her magnificent contribution in para sports, Chhattisgarh Government gave her Shahid Rajeev Pandey Puraskaar, which is very prestigious award in the field of sports. Recollecting her childhood memories, this smiling-faced girl said, “My papa had been truly inspirational. He ensured that my so-called disability never dissuaded me. He always instilled confidence in me that girls like me can also make a name. In fact, he worked as a driver in Bhilai Steel Plant. After his duty hours, he took me to the sports ground without fail for practice”. When asked that who has been her coach and who honed her sporting talent. It was quiet surprising to know that no one coached this marvelously performing girl. Self-training and natural talent has been the secret of all her success. “I had been keenly watching YouTube videos of world famous para athletes. From those videos, I try to learn proper techniques and correct my mistakes so that I could do better in competitions”, said this Arts graduate of Durg university.

 

Of late, life has been a bed of thorns for Sangeeta. Unfortunately, her father and elder brother, who had been the earning members of her family, got expired. “I am in deep financial crisis. My mother is a homemaker and my younger brother is mentally challenged. Because of my poor economic condition, I am not able to focus on sports. I am the highest para-sports medalist of Chhattisgarh. I request the Government to provide me job in sports quota, so that my condition gets improved. I aspire to bring Olympic medal for my country.” said Sangeeta with her eyes welled up in tears.It’s a pity to know that person like Sangeeta, who is the recipient of one of the highest award in the field of sports, has not been getting adequate assistance from Government. Her message to the members of specially-abled community is loud and clear, “Never choose to place DIS in your ABILITY”.