Karate champ seeks financial help to realise his Asiad dream

Eigh-time national karate champion Sharat J Kumar is struggling to arrange funds for training ahead of the Incheon Asian Games in September.
Sharath is also four times international karate championship winner.
Speaking to PTI in an interview here, Sharat shared his views on the dismal state of his affairs in karate and sought help from various quarters including the corporate world to help him financially for the Asian Games.
"I am not from a well-to-do-family and on earlier occasions, I had to pay out of pocket for meeting travel expenses," he said.
"I request philanthropists and sports enthusiasts to financially support me for my gold medal dreams. I also request individuals to participate sponsoring my expenditure," he said.

Sharat said he had approached the local leaders and legislator to help him make his dreams come true but it was to no avail. "I am extremely disappointed that none of the political leaders including the local MLA came forward to help me," he complained.

He is undergoing rigorous training at the Sports Authority of India's training camp in Bhopal.
He has done his regular training under M G Prasad, who is an international gold medallist.
"He practices 5-6 hours a day at Zen sports and fitness centre. In Bhopal, he attended the training camp between April 15 to May 11. Again, his training in Bhopal will begin from July 5," Prasad said.

As a precursor to Asian Games, Sharat will head to the Asian Championships to be held in Malaysia between Aug 5 to 20.