Thaindian News

Kochi (Kerala), Nov 18 (IANS) A helping hand from some private companies and individuals will enable three armwrestlers from Kerala to take part in the 30th World Championship to be held in Canada later November. The three who will now be travelling to Canada to take part in the competition are Shibu S. Ravi, a porter, Sajish P.V., who works in a private office, (both from Kochi), and Shoukat V.T., an autorickshaw driver from Kozhikode.

“Even though a total of 13 armwrestlers were selected for the competition, only three were lucky to get sponsors because the total expense per person is in excess of Rs.2 lakh (Rs.200,000),” Mukund Kumar, the coach of Ravi and Sajish, told IANS.

The companies and individuals who have come forward to help these three include Elder Pharma, Muthoot Pappachan Group, K.L. Chowla (Delhi), Daljit Singh, the president (strategy and organisational development) of Fortis Health Care, Manoj Gaur, executive chairman, J.P. Group, New Delhi, K.K. Mohan, a local trader, Mahindra Logistics, Regal Constructions and J.M. Baxi & Co.

Though the International Olympic Committee is actively considering the inclusion of arm wrestling in the 2012 Olympics, both the central and state governments have not taken this sport seriously. Kerala have been the national champions for the last eight years.

“This participation by the three, especially because of their background, is certainly going to bring more people into the sport and we are extremely thankful to all who came to support us,” said Kumar.