01 September,2016 08:40 AM IST | | Narendra Sastry
Akurli Road Mnp Hindi School's (Kandivli) Rajesh Koli loves boxing, but what is sad is that despite having talent and skill sets, Rajesh is unable to keep himself physically strond due to his family's financial condition, where a proper meal is hard to get
Rajesh Koli with his coach Nilesh Churi. Pic/Suresh Karkera
Akurli Road Mnp Hindi School's (Kandivli) Rajesh Koli loves boxing, but what is sad is that despite having talent and skill sets, Rajesh is unable to keep himself physically strond due to his family's financial condition, where a proper meal is hard to get. In a bid to support his family, 13-year-old Rajesh makes a little money playing the dhol during Ganesh and other festivals.
Rajesh Koli with his coach Nilesh Churi. Pic/Suresh Karkera
"My friends got me into playing the dhol. I play during marriages and festivals like Ganesh. I earn and help my family financially in whatever little way I can," Rajesh told mid-day on Tuesday.
The young pugilist lost in the semi-finals of the District Sports Office (DSO) U-14 44 kg category against Riyaz Ali Ansari of Sanjay Nagar BMC Urdu School (Govandi, West) at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kandivli.
Rajesh was on top and looked like winning in final round, but he somehow got weak. "He was on top for most of it but faltered in the dying seconds. He did not eat anything. I gave him a vada pav but he was visibly struggling. He was feeling a bit dizzy which must have led to his downfall. Had he won, he would definitely clinched the title," Rajesh's coach Nilesh Churi said.
