After international gold medal, Sangrur boxer hopes for a job

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, May 7

Financial constraints have failed to discourage Himanshu Sharma from pursuing his passion. From seeing days when he had to train without shoes, Sharma is now winning laurels for the nation. The 21-year-old boxer from Sangrur won a gold medal at the Belgrade International Championship, organised on April 23-29.

However, despite winning numerous medals, tough times continue as Sharma is still jobless. Sharma’s father, Karmjit, is a truck driver and the sole breadwinner. Sharma lives with his parents, grandfather and two younger siblings in a small house in Sangrur. 

Sharma recalls days when he would train without shoes. Things have improved a bit with the support of Boxing Federation of India (BFI), Sharma said; and he hopes to win more gold medals in the upcoming competitions. However, he is still worried about not having a job as he cannot provide any financial support to his family.

“I request the Punjab Government to consider my case for a job. I am thankful to BFI, my coaches and my parents who have always supported and motivated me,” said Sharma, who is a member of the Sangrur Police Lines Boxing Club. 

Sharma, who is a two-time gold medallist in the School National Championships, was on Monday honoured by Sangrur’s SSP, Mandeep Sidhu. Sidhu, who runs a boxing club, said that he had been trying to get Sharma a job. Sidhu and his staff gifted Rs 11,000 in cash to Sharma and Malwinder Singh Ganja, coach at the Police Lines club. Ganja trained Sharma during his initial days. “If he gets a job, we are confident he could do wonders in boxing,” said Sidhu.